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as the external source disappears, we are sad. Our trapped soul gets accustomed to luxury, comforts, and power, and we waste our energy attempting to regain lost pleasure. We lose sight of true happiness. However, those who learn to take a balanced view and discriminate between pleasure and eternal happiness are not bothered by the vicissitudes of life. They accept both pleasure and pain with equanimity and remain calm. True happiness is within us."
“But, Bhagwan..." Megh wanted to tell Mahavir how the careless monks kicked him last night. However, Mahavir continued. “You are angry and want to quit this journey toward liberation. Think about it! No one here wants to hurt you. Maybe in the darkness of the night they couldn't avoid stumbling into you. We react with anger because of our ego. Sometimes people unintentionally hurt each other, but we take it seriously because of our ego. Accepting reality as it is, instead of letting our ego brood over it, strengthens us. Such strength builds patience to give others the benefit of the doubt. It allows us to appreciate each other's limitations and gives us the wisdom to tolerate inevitable actions. Mutual understanding and cooperation is the key to co-existence.
A little physical pain is easy to overcome if you can imagine how much pain you may have endured during your countless births and deaths. Perhaps you can recall your past birth as an elephant*. Do you remember that in your previous incarnation you sacrificed your life to save a rabbit that had taken shelter under your raised foot? That auspicious karma has earned you this precious human birth and an
Enlightened ones have absolute knowledge (kevalgyan) unrestricted by space or time.
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