Bridging the Gap Website - 7th Young Jains International Convention

In business studies we often study Abraham Maslow’s pyramid, representing the hierarchy of needs. As we can see our higher needs, even in this scenario, are intangible ones, of self-esteem and ultimately we see happiness in Self-Actualisation.

What does Self-Actualisation mean? Well, looking at it at a spiritual level, away from the commercial angle, the self, our true identity is really the Atma or Jiva, our Soul. It is separate from the body while occupying the same space. While the Atma is eternal, the body is temporary and the Atma’s relationship with it is also transitory.

The Atma, by its very nature is consciousness (knowledge and perception) and bliss. We are by nature, happy and blissful, ultimately. However, we often attribute this happiness elsewhere. As we can see from the example of the car, happiness is separate from the objects to which we attribute it.

We often identify with the body and its surroundings and relationships. These are generally transitory and so are sources of worry. However, we forget our true spiritual identity. This is known as Mithyatva, or Moh, illusion. This illusion and misidentification lead to attachment and aversion, rag and dvesh, and then are expressed as the inner enemies or passions of Krodh, Man, Maya and Lobh or Anger, Ego, Deceit and Greed. These are the ultimate causes of impure action and lead to further Karmic bondage and unhappiness.

So, if happiness is not in the objects to which we attribute it, then where is it? It is inside, it is our true Nature. Atma is blissful by nature. In fact, the very illusion we mentioned above is what prevents us experiencing this happiness. All we need to do is to remove it and we will experience this happiness. This state of Self-Realisation, Samyag Darshan, can be attained even in this day and age, with the help of a Guru who is themselves Self-Realised. Permanent happiness is possible here and now.
This all may seem a little unrealistic, but we can see it in our own lives. When we are calm and relaxed, we are able to deal with even very difficult issues calmly and with peace. We also know many people who are by nature less fazed by the ups and downs of life. It is not a big step to think of others. Now, if we take this calmness to a slightly higher level, then we can come to the idea of Samyag Darshan. It is possible in even modern day times to have this. One of the most famous examples is Shrimad Rajchandra who only passed away just over a century ago, whose inner state has been recorded even in Gandhiji’s autobiography. If we take this even further, it is now possible to understand how Mahavir Swami Bhagwan was able to bear so much pain and suffering, trials and tribulations, with equanimity.

Having seen that this is all possible, let us see the power or value of this notion. If we are able to tune in to or experience the abundant happiness of the Atma which is innate to us, then we will have a sense of satisfaction and bliss which is immeasurable. Further it is truly independent of all objects, and thus free from worry. We will have a sense of abundance and happiness, but at no cost. Abundance for free, that is a big deal!

Sometimes this approach seems selfish, and that one must engage is selfless service. However, we must consider what selfishness itself is. It is when we put ourselves above others: our physical needs above those of others. This arises when we identify ourselves with the body and its surrounding. When we understand, and experience, that we are by nature Atma, Souls, then that sense of self disappears. That is when we overcome anger, ego, deceit and greed at the grossest level, and that we become free from selfish desires at the grossest levels. Until that point our service cannot be said to selfless, nor our love unconditional. So even selfless service and unconditional love only arise from knowing and experiencing the happiness of the Soul, the Atma.

Now, if we look at all the practices with which we associate Jainism, they tie into these ideas. Samayik, Pratikraman, Puja, Bhakti, Swadhyay, and Tap all ultimately are about experiencing Atma, attaining Samyag Darshan and more. Respectively, we wish to sit in silence and contemplation or meditation to cultivate equanimity (Samayik); to review and seek forgiveness for actions done without equanimity (Pratikraman); to praise, worship and cultivate devotion to those who have attained Samyag Darshan and Moksha thereafter, our Gurus, and our Bhagwans (Puja and Bhakti); to understand and think about the nature of reality so we can differentiate what is important, i.e. Atma, from what is not (Swadhyay); and to bring control over our senses and to discipline ourselves from seeking happiness in material things (Tap). So we can see that ultimately, permanent happiness is truly possible for us all, and that it is really at the heart of Jainism and all spiritual traditions.

So what is the big deal about Jainism