Book Title: Way of Life Part 1
Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

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Page 410
________________ 400 THE WAY OF LIFE is real, immutable and imperishable. I am alone. I am born alone and I shall journey alone towards the other world. When that is so why should not I also live alone?" Let this kind of contemplation called Ekatvabhavana (The idea of being alone) become deep-rooted in your mind. This feeling of Ekatva or being alone is the foundation for the attitude of neutrality. (Ekoham) I am alone. This is not an admission of weakness or despair. You should not say, weeping, "What shall I do? I am alone". You should think that you are alone without the thought of being indigent. You or your inner self must become informed with the emotion of Ekatva and your Atmabhava or your contemplation relating to your soul must be strengthened and developed. THERE CAN BE NO NEUTRALITY WITHOUT EKATVABHAVANA (THE THOUGHT OF BEING ALONE) Does it not amount to selfishness to From the Audience: think of our ownselves? Maharajashri No. Only those who can develop and strengthen the contemplation on their own soul can help others and can achieve the ultimate good. Those who do not have a knowledge of the soul; who do not have a realization of Ekatava (being alone) and who do not know the potentialities of the soul cannot achieve any true and meaningful objectives like the ultimate good or the good of others. If they carry out any activity, they will do so with ostentation. Saying that they are achieving the ultimate good, they try to achieve some ulterior motive. Have you not seen some leaders of today? What do they do? They move about saying, "We have only the objective of serving you and achieving your welfare. We are trying to achieve prosperity and happiness for you", but what do they actually do? They only aim at the swelling of their bank-accounts. What a terrible pretension! Those who do not know themselves and those who do not know the tremendous potentialities of the soul cannot achieve any ultimate good. That was why in olden days when mighty sages and seers taught their disciples and pupils anything, they first taught them the knowledge relating to the soul. May be, in the beginning, they were not teaching • Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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