Sacred Philosophy

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

Page 32

The rule is that with every movement or actionwhether physical, mental or vocal--there is an influx of material particles towards the soul, which combines with the incoming material under the influence of its desires. This is not the place to enter into a minute analysis of the subject, but if any one will try to find out the reason why the relish of food is not enjoyed when attention is directed elsewhere, he will not be long in perceiving that an all-absorbing interest in the object of attention at the time and the want of attentiveness towards the food actually on the tongue prevent the relishparticles from reaching and affecting the soul. This is tantamount to saying that there is an influx of relish-particles from the food in the mouth to the soul and that the latter is affected by and becomes cognisant of them only when they combine with it, which combining is effected through attention and prevented by the mind being deeply interested in something else at the time. But interest is merely another word for desire in this sense. Hence the rule that the fusion between spirit and matter takes place in consequence of desire. The destruction of desire, then, is the means to the salvation of the soul. It is for this reason that every rational religion enjoins the practising of renunciation on its followers.
So long as the soul remains in association or