Science Of Life

Author(s): U S Dugar
Publisher: U S Dugar

Page 65

real pleasure and bliss. Pleasure and pain are confined to the individual alone. None else can take upon him the pleasure and pain of others.
Self-control cannot be achieved without purification of body and mind. Mahavira prescribed 12 physical and mental penances for physical and mental purification. Indian word for penance is tap, fire. Penance means fire inner fire, the spiritual power the body amassed through self-denial. Penance ignites it; bolster it. It purifies. The performance of penances is the process of purging the soul of accumulated karmas (foreign body) by conscious efforts. Jain texts recommend penance for spiritual advancement and purifying the soul as the final goal. The falling away of karma due to austerity and conquering of hardships is righteous activity. Penance is an integral part of rational living. Desires are outflow of energy and to preserve it is penance. Purification has also been known to increase energy and vitality.
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Penance means control over senses and ability to direct them. It is a road to self-control. Selfcontrol means tranquillity. Passion destroys balance. Self-control means balanced. Self-restraint is not negative but positive. It is total acceptability, accepting as it is. This brings a great transformation. It endows with the stamina to persevere in whatever one does. Learning self-control produces a wide range of positive outcomes. It bestows the ability to withstand hardships and difficulties, whether physical, emotional or mental. It grants the ability to reject immediate satisfaction, in order to gain something better, but, which requires effort and time.
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