Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

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Walk With Me
an ordinary human being can be transformed into a divine state of bliss and omniscience through absolute purification of the soul. Mahavir believed that all living beings have a soul which, like his own, is trapped in painful and prolonged cycles of death and rebirth. He perfected and taught a path for purification of the soul.
Mahavir preached that all trapped souls go through several rebirths in different forms - be them human, animal, plant, or microbial - but have the potential to be free. Therefore, every living being, in any form, is worthy of respect and reverence. Liberation can be achieved by purifying our entrapped soul through self-discipline to eliminate passions such as ego, greed, anger, deceit, hatred, and attachment to worldly things. Mahavir's path to liberation, therefore, is essentially a technique to live a disciplined life free from passions and to guard ourselves from passionate actions (karma). One can gain self-discipline through conscious and focused practice.
Mahavir's parents also followed the ancient Sraman path for soul purification, and Mahavir knew this. From his early years, he focused on attaining liberation. After years of determined effort, he mastered selfdiscipline to such perfection that he attained enlightenment and ultimate liberation. He was so confident with his path that he told the masses, "You too can achieve the goal of liberation if you apply your complete attention and absolutely determined, unwavering effort to your goal. The path to liberation may not be easy, but it is simple. You may have to climb many mountains, cross many valleys, and swim many oceans. Come along; hold my hand and Walk With Me."
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