________________
1.2.11 Samyaktva: The Incomparable Art of Living
Everyone wants to live. No one wishes to die. Whether it is humans or animals, birds, hellish beings, celestial beings, insects or reptiles, everyone takes great pleasure in living. From the spiritual point of view, there are two kinds of living.
1. Letting time pass by 2. Living blissfully
Thinking that this body is “myself (not able to identify that soul and body are separate) is the cause of transmigration. The one who has attained bodhi (the right teachings or is capable of receiving and giving bodhi to others, realises that he is not the body and all the substances in the universe are not his. They are non-self objects or external objects. But till the time one's focus remains on sensual pleasures, he feels no motivation to look in the right direction.
Once the right perspective is attained, the living being shall find happiness wherever he resides, whether in heaven or in hell. He will feel blissful even when faced with sorrow, will turn autumn into spring and will be at peace even when put under duress. This art of living is known as samyaktva. It is said to be "mangala” (auspicious). As it helps the soul traverse the ocean of transmigration. There is no other mangala" higher than this.
In this chapter, we shall reflect upon samyaktva as an art of living. Owing to the fruition (uday) of karmas, life is replete with joys and sorrows. There is never only joy or only sorrow. Sometimes, the wind of peace and contentment blows. At other times the storm of discontent knocks you over.
One who has mithyaatva (false belief regarding the soul; turns despondent when faced with sorrow. On the other hand, when things go his way, he goes wild with joy and develops arrogance.
But one who has samyaktva remains calm and equanimous in situations of joy as well as sorrow. He does not turn despondent when he experiences sorrow and does not go overboard when he experiences joy. Equanimity has become the basic nature of his soul. In fact, he experiences joy even in adverse situations. Even if one who has samyaktva is reborn in hell, his soul experiences the joy of tranquilness.
On the other hand, one who has mithyaatva is restless even in favourable situations. Even if he is reborn in heaven, his innate jealousy, aversion, and delusion will ensure that his stay there will gain him no joy.
Even when surrounded by sorrow from all four sides, the soul with samyaktva remains at peace and nullifies the malafide effects of sorrow causing karmas. He has comprehended the primacy of inner joy over external comforts.
232
