Philosophy of Soul and Matter

Author(s): Chitrabhanu, Clare Rosenfield
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Center

Page 49

As long as the mind is not receiving the light of awareness, it remains in this state of fluctuation, transmitting the vibrations of attraction fraga) or repulsion (dvesha).
At this level, the consciousness of the unaware human being is hardly different from the instinctive consciousness of animals whose desires are merely to eat, sleep, procreate, and collect. When the mind : enters a state of depression, it is characterized by a heaviness and immobility comparable to the mineral state.
But we are all on the path of evolution. It is the nature of soul to sprout upward. It is the nature of consciousness to become more and more open. It starts from the mineral state and goes, on evolving until at last it reaches the most beautiful stage of evolution: universal consciousness. Even though the mineral consciousness may not be noticed due to its seeming immobility, it has a slight level of consciousness. We have seen that even the smallest seed has sentient energy. Before it is planted, it is in a state of outer slumber. When it is planted in the ground, its consciousness is evident because of its urge to grow.
The individual consciouşness goes through suffering