Showing posts with label soul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soul. Show all posts

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Post #3 — The Jain View of the Soul: Understanding the Life Within Every Being

 Post #3 — The Jain View of the Soul: Understanding the Life Within Every Being

In Jainism, the soul—called “jiva”—is the most essential part of every living being. It is eternal, conscious, and inherently pure. The differences we see in the world—people, animals, insects, plants—come from the body each soul occupies, not the soul itself. This understanding creates a deep sense of equality: no living being is considered lower or higher. Every soul has the same potential for growth, awareness, and liberation.

Jainism, soul, jiva, karma, spirituality, inner journey, Jain philosophy, consciousness, compassion, mindful living, peace, equality, ancient wisdom
Jainism, soul, jiva, karma, spirituality, inner journey, Jain philosophy, consciousness, compassion, mindful living, peace, equality, ancient wisdom

According to Jain philosophy, the soul is surrounded by karmic particles, which stick to it based on our actions, thoughts, and emotions. When we act with kindness, discipline, and awareness, we prevent new karmas from attaching. When we live with anger, greed, ego, or deceit, more karmas accumulate. This is not punishment—it’s a natural, scientific process of cause and effect. Over time, as we purify our thoughts and choices, the soul shines clearer, revealing its true nature of peace and infinite knowledge.

Understanding the soul in this way changes how we see everyday life. It encourages us to look beyond appearances and recognize the living consciousness present in all beings. It reminds us that every act of kindness, every moment of patience, and every effort to reduce harm brings us closer to our pure, peaceful self. In future posts, we’ll explore how this idea guides practices like non-possessiveness, truthfulness, and mindful living. 

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Post #15: The Masterpiece Within

 Post #15: The Masterpiece Within 


Context

selfgrowth, transformation, michelangelo, sculpture, minimalism, awakening, spirituality, innerwork, psychology, authenticity, wisdom, peelingbacklaye
selfgrowth, transformation, michelangelo, sculpture, minimalism, awakening, spirituality, innerwork, psychology, authenticity, wisdom, peelingbacklaye 

In our modern pursuit of self-improvement, we often treat ourselves like a painting that needs more paint. We think we need to add things to become whole: more skills, more money, more status, or more knowledge. We approach life with a mindset of accumulation, believing that "more" equals "better." We layer on identities and achievements, hoping to finally build a version of ourselves that feels "enough."

However, true growth is more like sculpture than painting. When Michelangelo was asked how he created his masterpiece, the David, he famously said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." He didn't add anything to the stone; he simply removed what didn't belong. The masterpiece was already there, hidden beneath the excess rock.

Your true self is not something you need to build or achieve in the future; it is who you already are beneath the layers of conditioning. The fears, the limiting beliefs, the societal expectations, and the trauma—these are just the excess stone. The spiritual path is a process of subtraction, not addition. You chip away the ego, the pretense, and the fear until the golden, authentic essence that was always there is finally revealed.


Tags  

Post #14: The Unburnt Screen

Post #14: The Unburnt Screen 


Context

consciousness, awareness, nonduality, spirituality, movie, illusion, observer, detachment, innerpeace, vedanta, perspective, mentalhealth, reality, aw
consciousness, awareness, nonduality, spirituality, movie, illusion, observer, detachment, innerpeace, vedanta, perspective, mentalhealth, reality

We tend to get completely lost in the drama of our lives. When tragedy strikes, we feel destroyed. When chaos ensues, we feel burned. We identify so closely with the "story" of our lives—the ups and downs, the gains and losses—that we forget the medium upon which the story is playing. We behave like an audience member in a movie theater who screams and ducks when a car explodes on screen, forgetting that it is just light projected onto a flat surface.

Consciousness is the screen; your life experiences are the movie. A movie can show a flood, but the screen never gets wet. It can show a blazing fire, but the screen never gets singed. It can show a knife fight, but the screen never bleeds. The screen supports the movie, allows the movie to be seen, and holds the entire story, yet it remains intimately untouched by the content of the story.

To awaken is to shift your identity from the character in the movie to the screen itself. You stop taking the drama so personally. You realize that while pain, sadness, and excitement arise and pass, the background of your awareness remains pristine and damage-free. No matter what trauma or difficulty you have faced, there is a part of you that remains whole, unburnt, and at peace, simply watching the show.


Tags 

Post #9: The Inner Treasure

 Post #9: The Inner Treasure

seeking, happiness, fulfillment, innerpeace, within, spirituality, wisdom, selfrealization, enlightenment, mindfulness, truth, awakening, soul, treasu
seeking, happiness, fulfillment, innerpeace, within, spirituality, wisdom, selfrealization, enlightenment, mindfulness, truth, awakening, soul, treasu 

Context

We spend the vast majority of our lives as seekers. We seek happiness in the next promotion, peace in the next relationship, and fulfillment in the next purchase. We operate under the deeply ingrained belief that we are fundamentally lacking something, and that the "missing piece" exists somewhere "out there" in the external world. We become like beggars sitting on a box of gold, begging passersby for pennies, completely unaware of the wealth beneath us.

The great cosmic joke is that the very thing we are searching for—lasting peace, wholeness, and connection—is the essential nature of the one doing the searching. The external world can only offer temporary relief or pleasure; it cannot offer permanent fulfillment because everything in it is impermanent. As long as you believe your happiness is dependent on external conditions, you will always be vulnerable to those conditions changing.

Awakening is the cessation of seeking. It is the profound realization that you don't need to add anything to yourself to be whole. You only need to remove the layers of illusion, fear, and conditioning that have covered up your natural state. You are not traveling to a destination called "peace"; you are just realizing that you are already standing there. Stop looking for the key; you are the door. 


Post #7: The Mask of the Ego

 Post #7: The Mask of the Ego 

Context

ego, identity, mask, spirituality, psychology, soul, awakening, authenticity, selfdiscovery, freedom, persona, consciousness, innerlight, philosophy,
ego, identity, mask, spirituality, psychology, soul, awakening, authenticity, selfdiscovery, freedom, persona, consciousness, innerlight, philosophy, 


The word "personality" comes from the Latin word persona, which literally means "mask." In ancient Greek theater, actors wore masks to portray different characters, allowing the audience to distinguish the role from the actor. Over time, we have forgotten this distinction in our own lives. We spend decades crafting our "mask"—our social identity, our job titles, our reputations, and our history—and eventually, we make the mistake of believing the mask is our actual face.

This identification with the mask is what we call the Ego. It is a necessary tool for navigating society, much like a spacesuit is necessary for an astronaut to navigate space. However, if the astronaut forgets they can take the suit off, they become a prisoner within it. When we believe we are the mask, we become terrified of cracks in our reputation or changes in our status, because it feels like a threat to our very existence.

Awakening is simply the moment you realize you are the actor, not the character. You can still wear the mask; you can still play the role of a parent, a boss, or a friend. But you do so with a sense of lightness and playfulness, knowing that beneath the rigid surface of your history and habits, your true nature is formless, fluid, and free. You are the light behind the porcelain. 

Post #1: A Gentle Invitation to Connect

Post #1: A Gentle Invitation to Connect

#Jainism,#Ahimsa,#NonViolence,#Compassion,#Mindfulness,#InnerPeace, #Spirituality,#UniversalValues,#LivingConsciously, #RespectAllLife
What Is Jainism? A Gentle Introduction for Everyone

Have you ever paused to look at a tiny insect, a towering tree, or a stranger across the street and felt a sudden, quiet sense of connection? A feeling that, beneath our differences, there is a shared "spark" of life?

That feeling is the heartbeat of Jainism.

More than just an ancient religion, Jainism is a gentle way of viewing the universe. It offers a profound yet simple perspective: every living being—from the smallest microscopic creature to the largest animal, and every human on earth—is equal in their desire to live and be happy.

We are not masters of this planet; we are part of a vast, intricate web of life.

Over this series, we invite you to explore a philosophy built entirely on radical compassion, scientific observation, and deep respect for that shared spark within us all. It is a path toward finding inner peace by ensuring we offer peace to the world around us.

Welcome to a journey of seeing the universe with softer eyes.


Reference Note for Future Posts: This post introduces the foundational idea of a shared "spark of life" in all beings. This concept will directly connect to Post #2 (exploring what that "spark" is) and is the essential basis for Post #4 on Ahimsa (Non-violence).

Saturday, March 13, 2021

arihant vyavhar siddha nischay

arihant vyavhar siddha nischay

Below post is taken from a book "Ek Yatra Bhitar ki Aur" authored by his highness 

Param Pujya Jainacharya Vijay Ratnasundarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb

राष्ट्रसंत पद्मविभूषण आचार्य रत्नसुंदर

Born on 5 January 1948 is an Indian Jain monk, activist and Gujarati language writer. He is well known for his lectures on spirituality and social issues

He has written more than 333+ books on variety of subjects and holds the Golden Book of World Records for writing more than 300 books in a single language (Gujarati). Lakhi Rakho Aras Ni Takati Par is his most acclaimed book. It is translated in 20 languages.

In 2017, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by Government of India for his contribution in field of spirituality

arihant vyavhar siddha nischay,SOUL,AATMA,KARMA,MIND,PUYA,PAAP,
arihant vyavhar siddha nischay

If you are interested in more such quotes or knowledge then Visit below sites and youtube channels

Website : https://www.ratnaworld.com/

Youtube : RatnaWorld

JAINAM JAYATI SHASHNAM

JALNA AUR JALANA NAHI - SAMYAK DARSHAN

JALNA AUR JALANA NAHI

Below post is taken from a book "Ek Yatra Bhitar ki Aur" authored by his highness 

Param Pujya Jainacharya Vijay Ratnasundarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb

राष्ट्रसंत पद्मविभूषण आचार्य रत्नसुंदर

Born on 5 January 1948 is an Indian Jain monk, activist and Gujarati language writer. He is well known for his lectures on spirituality and social issues

He has written more than 333+ books on variety of subjects and holds the Golden Book of World Records for writing more than 300 books in a single language (Gujarati). Lakhi Rakho Aras Ni Takati Par is his most acclaimed book. It is translated in 20 languages.

In 2017, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by Government of India for his contribution in field of spirituality

JALNA AUR JALANA NAHI,SAMYAK DARSHAN,SOUL,AATMA,KARMA,MIND,PUYA,PAAP,
JALNA AUR JALANA NAHI - SAMYAK DARSHAN


If you are interested in more such quotes or knowledge then Visit below sites and youtube channels

Website : https://www.ratnaworld.com/

Youtube : RatnaWorld

JAINAM JAYATI SHASHNAM

Sins are powerless पाप शक्तिहीन हैं

पाप शक्तिहीन हैं  Sins are powerless

Below post is taken from a book "Ek Yatra Bhitar ki Aur" authored by his highness 

Param Pujya Jainacharya Vijay Ratnasundarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb

राष्ट्रसंत पद्मविभूषण आचार्य रत्नसुंदर

Born on 5 January 1948 is an Indian Jain monk, activist and Gujarati language writer. He is well known for his lectures on spirituality and social issues

He has written more than 333+ books on variety of subjects and holds the Golden Book of World Records for writing more than 300 books in a single language (Gujarati). Lakhi Rakho Aras Ni Takati Par is his most acclaimed book. It is translated in 20 languages.

In 2017, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by Government of India for his contribution in field of spirituality

Sins are powerless,पाप शक्तिहीन हैं ,SOUL,AATMA,KARMA,MIND,PUYA,PAAP,
Sins are powerless


If you are interested in more such quotes or knowledge then Visit below sites and youtube channels

Website : https://www.ratnaworld.com/

Youtube : RatnaWorld

JAINAM JAYATI SHASHNAM

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

FOUR GATI AND 84 YONI

!!Four Gati and 84 Yoni !!
As far as Jiva (Soul) is bound by the Karmas, the birth and rebirth in this world continues unendingly. There are four places where this Jiva (Soul) can find a birth. Naraki (Hellish), Tiryanch (Animal world), Manusya (Human), and Dev (Gods). The process of going by a soul from one place to another is called “Gati”. Thus there are these four Gati
Naraki (Hellish) :
There are seven Hells. The hellish beings are many rather innumerable. Their life span is also longer. Thus, hell is not just to show fear to people. It is a real place where one has to stay as a consequence of his sins and bad deeds. Supposing a person very mercilessly kill thousands of people and animal, what is his punishment. In legal terms, even if he gets a punishment one or thousands but the punishment is just being hanged once only. But in hell, the punishment is very several and it is according to and in proportion with the quantum of sins or bad deeds. There are 3 types of pains in hell;
(1)               Kshetra Vandana : - it is very hot place. Even a small molecule of that hotness may burn us all. Such hottest place provide a lot of pains to hellish beings.
(2)               The types of pains generated by constant mutual quarrels of the hellish.
(3)               The pains generated by the Parmadhami Gods to hellish beings they specifically come to punish hellish beings, reminding of their sins often and often and giving different kinds of several pains to them – to cut, to give hot, to beat and more to come to their rescue, just get sufferings and great sufferings and greater, still greater sufferings unendingly. There are only 3 ways to be prone to religious life:
i.                    If any God visits the hells (No. one to three) and explain the essence of religion to any of their past relative.
ii.                  Somebody gets the knowledge of his own past lives and thus become prone to religion.
iii.                If those extreme pain of the hell one himself thinks of one’s sinful past and become prone to religion


In all such cases, after thinking their quota of hellish life, they take rebirth in Animal world or human world, but never in Hellish or God Loka.
Tiryanch (Animal specie) :
There are several innumerable number of Jivas in this specie also. This speice include all Sthavarkay, Vikalendriya (Those having one or more senses less then normal), all five sensed animals etc. In this specie, some Jivas are very huge, very bold, very strong Jivas, even humans are afraid of them. The five sense animals have knowledge and intelligence but for want of description, they have been categorised as ignorant. We have been observing their day-to-day miseries such as, Hunger, thirst, Cold, Heat, carrying of more, weight, beatings, a lot of pains etc. but, the irony is that in the name of scientific discoveries, Alokpanik (Inhuman) medicines preparations, eating of meat and manufacturing of beauty products, crores of these animals species have been undergoing the hellish kind of pains, for no fault of their own. Besides they are taken to for presentation of shows, circus and to zoos for just display them to general public’s gesture. They are made to run in race, the bull-fight and cock-fight shows are arranged for human pleasure without knowing or appreciating what harassment they are undergoing for our aimless hobbies Besides, they are killed in hunting aimlessly, they are sacrificed in name of religion. The animal specie is a specie which is mostly deployed among all the four species.
Manusya (Human) Specie :

To be born as human is considered to be the best among all. Human specie birth is considered as a rare opportunity. The Jiva has been more in hellish specie than in human specie and much more births he had in God specie than the hellish one. One birth in human speice is given after innumberable births, in hellish world. It is therefore to be well realised that now that you have been given a human birth give up all other things and try to understand your soul. This is a crucial time where in if you realize soul well and make it free from Karmas by conscious efforts, one can be totally free from the cycle of births and rebirths but if he continue to be in passions, greedy, pride, ignorance, wrong faith etc. we will have hundreds and thousands of births and rebirths. In human specie also we have been experiencing a number of pains, they are anxiety, worry old age, diseases, disorders – Lord Tirthankara Adishwar had expressed his concern in these words “ Oh! Humans why you do not understand? I have been explaining to you to worries and pains in all Yonis, but why don’t you understand? Do you want to wonder in 84 Lakh Yonis again and again? If you want to attain Moksha, this is the only human specie with you to strive for it. That opportunity has come to you because you have been born in Karmabhoomi a land were one has to make some efforts. This is a birth where you have better opportunity in Akarmabhoomi there are only Yugliks the cannot make efforts to wipe off their Karmas. They are dependent on the Kalpavriksha. Tree of heaven for their livelihood.
The Samurchhima are in most pitiable position. They take birth from urine and excreta. They are miserable. They have senses but not sensitivity. The Yugliks offer death, if not liberated. Go to Dev Loka, but for humans, if they don’t _____this opportunity they have to mate in all four Gati.
Dev Loka (God):

Gods have been shown of four kinds (1) Bhavanpati, (2) Vyantar, (3) Jyotishk and (4) Vaimanik. Among Vaimaniks, there are two types, Kalponna (12 Dev Loka) and Kalpatit (9 Graivyek and 5 Anuttana) Kalpa is where their is some system Ten division and distinction between a master and a servant etc. as per capacity and functions etc. (1) Indra, (2) Samanik, (3) Tray Gransh, (4) Parishad, (5) Atma Rakshak (6) Lokpal, (7) Anil, (8) Prakirnak, (9) Abhiyogik (10) Kilbishak. In Kalpatit Dev, they have no division of master and servant, big and small etc. Bhavanpati and Vyantar Dev live in lower World. Jyotishak Dev stays in Tirchha Loka and Vaimanik Stays in Higher Loka. Those who stays in higher land are superior to those staying in lower land in terms of Luster, Leshya, Life-span, knowledge of senses, knowledge of Avadhi, Happiness, power, strength etc. but their size of body diminishes. If one completes one’s life span there, their rebirth is possible either in Animal or human specie. Once came from Dev Loka cannot become Dev again or Hellish also. In heaven there are number of sources of pleasure and happiness, but they are not real happiness. They also often have feelings of jealousy, quarrels, kidnapping of their Goddess, and all worries associated with possession. Therefore all the four Gati including Dev Loka are places of worries and miseries. A human should never think of becoming God. Indeed, there is no happiness any where.



Hell
More Anger
More Fear
Animal
More Passion
More food’s worry
Human
More Respect
More passionate feelings
God
More Greed
More Possession

Yoni

Yoni is a place where the worldly beings get the birth form. There are several such places of birth, but here one Yoni refers to a common factor, where the colour, taste, touch, smell and place is common, it is one Yoni. Thus identifying such common places of birth, 84 Lakh Yonis have been shown. One Yoni means such places where the colour, taste, touch, smell etc are common and we have such 84 Lakh Yonis from different Jivas to take birth from.
Yoni could be good or evil. What is a good Yoni?
(1)        The Yoni which gives birth to a Jiva who has much much longer span of life.
(2)        The Yoni is which give birth to auspicious beings such as Lord Tirthankaras, Chakravartis, Vasudeva, Baldevs, etc,
(3)        The Yoni is which give birth to the Gods in heaven (except Kalbishi and Paramadhami)
(4)        The Yoni is Animal world giving birth to Horse, Elephant, Cow etc.
(5)        The Yoni is which give birth to though one-sense being but to items like flower and such other one-sense being.
The Yonis other than discussed earlier are evil Yonis.
We have five sense, but what we accomplish by one sense cannot be known is other sensed. We can see with our eyes; but the ears do not know what we have seen. We feel with our touch but the tongue does not know what we have touched. But the soul command all the sense, and as such knows what function the senses are performing.
The miseries of haven have been discussed here so that the soul understands such problems and thereby try to understand what is its real role. Unfortunately the soul fials, to realize the implied meaning of the situation. What he (how person) makes misundertanding is to believe that Body is the soul or Senses are the Soul or Breathing is the soul these are the false


beliefs and they lead the soul to births and rebirth in the four Gatis (Hell, Animals, Human ,God) and 24 Dandaks.

Note : Above post is taken from JainUniversity