________________
or dwelt upon, to wholly merge one's consciousness, mind, feeling and experience in it, is the process of integrated or mindful sadhana.
Q. The practice of japa produces sound vibrations. - Does benefit to the sadhak accrue from this or is it the union of japa with bhavana (i.e. repeated practice of principles) that is really productive?
Ans. The sound-waves have their limited utility. But,
combined with bhavana (repeated practice of certain principles) their utility increases manifold. Certain drugs are naturally beneficial, but when these are treated and infused with other substances, their potency increases still further. It is the virtue of myrobalan to effect a purgation, but myrobalan treated with certain medicinal herbs is much more beneficial than the common preparation. Similarly, when the sound vibrations of japa are combined with bhavana, these propel a man in the direction of self-realization. In the absence of bhavana, no spiritual rites can be fully consummated.
Vipassana is a system of sadhana. It takes a man towards a state of non-conceptualization or nothingness. This is also a process. But in our view this is not the only process. If to be in a state which transcends thought is sadhana, to think is sadhana, too. The combination of these two makes for wholeness. This is the new concept of the Jain meditation system. According to it, the greater the reflection or contemplation of a received fact, the more wholesome is the consummation.
Once a guru taught a dull-witted pupil of his the lesson of equanimity. There was little room for an elaborate discussion or understanding. So the guru got him to memorise two proverbs, 'Ma rush', 'Ma tush' ('No anger!' 'No gratification',) which meant that under no
253
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
