Aatmshakti Ka Stroat Samayik

This Jain text, "Aatmshakti Ka Stroat Samayik" (The Source of Self-Power: Samayik) by Upacharya Devendramuni, published by Tarak Guru Jain Granthalay, is a comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing Samayik, a fundamental Jain practice. The book emphasizes that true peace and happiness are found within the self, not in external pursuits like wealth, status, or power, which often lead to further unrest.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and concepts discussed:

The Nature of Peace and the Role of Samayik:

• Innate Desire for Peace: The book begins by acknowledging that humans are inherently peace-loving and desire peace in their minds, bodies, and families. However, in their pursuit of external means for peace, they often get entangled in a mire of unrest.
• Internal Source of Peace: The core message is that peace is a state of the soul and a state of mind. The ultimate source of peace and happiness lies within the self.
• Samayik as the Path to Inner Peace: Samayik is presented as the process of engaging with and dwelling within the self. It is described as the practice that brings peace, happiness, and contentment to practical life and is the ultimate source of supreme peace in spiritual life.

Understanding Samayik:

• Definition: Samayik is defined as "remaining in equanimity" (samatva). This equanimity signifies a state of mind free from passion (attachment and aversion), envy, malice, and other destructive emotions and mental states.
• The Restless Mind: The text vividly describes the fickle nature of the mind, constantly swinging between attachment and aversion, anger, pride, jealousy, and hatred.
• The Art of Stabilizing the Mind: Samayik is presented as the wonderful practice of stabilizing this restless mind, bringing it to a state of equanimity, and immersing it in the feeling of samatva.
• Etymology and Meaning: The word Samayik is broken down into "Sam" (meaning a state of mind devoid of destructive emotions), "Ay" (meaning gain or benefit), and "Ik" (meaning the action that leads to the gain of equanimity). Thus, Samayik is the action that leads to the attainment of equanimous feelings and equanimity itself.
• Practical and Ethical Dimensions: Samayik involves abstaining from sinful and immoral tendencies like violence, falsehood, theft, and gossip. It means refraining from negative thoughts, harsh words, and actions that cause harm to others.

Samayik as a Healing Process:

• Analogy of Heatstroke: The book uses the analogy of heatstroke (loo) to illustrate the concept. Just as external cooling measures are ineffective for someone suffering from internal heatstroke, external pleasures and comforts cannot bring peace to a mind tormented by internal unrest. Samayik is presented as the effective treatment administered by an experienced physician that calms the inner fire.
• Subduing Mental Agitation: Samayik is a spiritual practice that calms mental impulses and agitation, akin to extinguishing the fire that causes water in a pot to boil.
• Abstaining from the Unwholesome and Engaging in the Wholesome: In essence, Samayik is the renunciation of the unwholesome and the engagement in the wholesome.

Samatva: The Art of Living:

• Desire for Equality: Every living being desires to live in a state of equality (samatva) and not inequality (vishmata).
• Inevitability of Disparity: However, due to the nature of the world and worldly interactions, inequality inevitably enters life, leading to suffering, difficulties, conflicts, and struggles.
• The Western vs. Indian View: While Western thought may suggest "conflict is life," Indian philosophy, particularly Jainism, posits that life, though involving struggles, has peace as its ultimate goal.
• Overcoming Obstacles: The text draws parallels with nature, where friction can create fire but also cooling pastes, and mud can produce lotuses. Similarly, by struggling against vices, one can reach the door of peace. Samayik is the path to this door.
• Maintaining Mental Balance: The ability to maintain mental equilibrium amidst life's challenges is crucial for a peaceful and happy life.

Key Aspects of Equanimity (Samatva):

• Titiksha (Tolerance/Patience): The book emphasizes the importance of titiksha, or tolerance and forbearance, especially during difficult times. It requires strong willpower and practice. Titiksha acts as a protective shield against life's hardships.
• Freedom from Past Burdens: Past memories, whether pleasant or unpleasant, can weigh down the mind. Samayik teaches detachment and a neutral stance towards these memories, preventing them from causing distress.
• Freedom from Future Worries: Anxiety about the future is a major disruptor of peace. Humans worry about finances, family, health, and various other aspects of their future because they cannot see or know it clearly. The book uses an anecdote to illustrate how future-oriented anxiety can cripple a person.
• The Destructive Nature of Worry: Worry is depicted as a poisonous serpent that can turn a happy person sad, a healthy person ill.
• The True Path to Freedom from Worry: The only true way to be free from worry is to change one's interests, desires, and aspirations, and to place faith in destiny or karma. This is achieved by cultivating equanimity.
• Living in the Present: The text encourages living in the present moment, making the most of each day with a balanced perspective.

Stress-Free Living and Self-Power:

• Modern World's Paradox: Despite scientific advancements and material prosperity, modern humans are living amidst stress and dissatisfaction.
• The Internal Source of Peace (Revisited): Peace is found within the heart, in mental disposition, contentment, and equanimity, not in external material splendors, just as the musk deer doesn't realize the fragrance of kusa grass is within itself.
• The True Gifts of Creation: God bestowed upon humans speed, activity, thought, and within their hearts, happiness, peace, and compassion. However, humans have become externalized in their search for these inner qualities.
• Causes of Stress: Personal ambitions, comparison with others, societal pressures to accumulate wealth, and the emphasis on material success are major contributors to stress.
• Realizing Inner Strength: The permanent solution to stress lies in recognizing and trusting one's own inner strength (self-power). This confidence empowers one to overcome stressful situations, leading to equanimity and freedom from tension.
• Samatva as an Anchor: Equanimity acts as an island in the ocean of anxieties and worries, providing stability and peace.

The Philosophy of Nishkama Karma Yoga (Bhagavad Gita):

• Action Without Attachment to Results: The book discusses the Bhagavad Gita's principle of performing actions without attachment to their fruits, highlighting the verse "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana."
• The Difficulty of Practical Application: While philosophically sound, the text acknowledges the extreme difficulty for ordinary individuals, and even great practitioners, to fully implement this principle, as the desire for results is deeply ingrained.
• The Role of Hope in Motivation: Hope is the driving force for human action. When hope is shattered, enthusiasm wanes.
• Potential for Impact: Nevertheless, the principle of Nishkama Karma Yoga can significantly reduce the impact of worldly dualities and provide liberation from stress and suffering, provided it can be practiced.

Bhagwan Mahavir's Samata Yoga:

• The Concept of Amurchha (Non-Possessiveness): Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings emphasize amurchha (non-possessiveness) and samabhava (equanimity), where the mind remains balanced in all situations.
• Reducing Passions: The practice of Samata Yoga involves minimizing passions like attachment, aversion, anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and transcending dualities to become self-centered.
• Practical Example of a Mill Owner: A practical example of a mill owner effectively managing various challenges without becoming agitated illustrates the principle of equanimity in action.
• The Power of Equanimity: Equanimity enables one to solve problems with a calm and stable mind.
• The Goal of Samayik: The ultimate goal of Samayik is to achieve a state of equanimity that is free from tension, worry, fear, and agitation.

Types of Samayik:

The book then delves into different classifications of Samayik:

• Three Meanings of Samayik (Word-based):

  1. Sam (Equality/Friendliness): Cultivating friendly feelings towards all beings, characterized by non-violence, compassion, fearlessness, gentleness, and forgiveness. This leads to inner purity and sweetness.
  2. Sama (Equanimity/Neutrality): Being free from attachment and aversion, maintaining neutrality. This involves wishing well even to those with negative intentions and staying centered in oneself.
  3. Samm (Integration): The integration of right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct. This leads to increased inner stability, absorption, and indescribable joy. The practical result is detachment from worldly objects and experiences.

• Four Types of Samayik (Based on Practice):

  1. Darshan Samayik (Right Faith Samayik): Also known as Samyaktva Samayik. It signifies the purification of vision, true faith in the soul, and unwavering conviction in one's inner self. It involves simplifying and purifying emotions, transforming bitterness into sweetness.
  2. Gyan Samayik (Right Knowledge Samayik): Focuses on true knowledge of reality, particularly the nature of the soul, its infinite qualities, and the means to manifest them. It involves turning external knowledge-seeking tendencies inwards, contemplating self-qualities, and engaging in self-study.
  3. Charitra Samayik (Right Conduct Samayik): This is further divided into:
     • Sarvavirati Samayik (Total Renunciation Samayik): Practiced by ascetics (monks and nuns) who renounce all sinful activities for life. Their initial conduct itself is called Samayik Charitra.
     • Deshvirati Samayik (Partial Renunciation Samayik): Practiced by lay followers (Shravaks and Shravikas) who take vows for a limited period or in a limited scope. This includes the practice of Samayik for a minimum duration of 48 minutes (one muhurt).

The Importance of Time and Depth in Samayik:

• Duration: A minimum of 48 minutes is considered essential for experiencing any profound spiritual realization through Samayik. Consistent practice over six months can lead to unspeakable spiritual bliss.
• Depth: Beyond mere recitation, the depth of involvement of the mind and consciousness with the Samayik practice is crucial. Deep engagement leads to a transformation of one's tendencies.
• Physiological Impact: The text touches upon the scientific understanding that hormones like adrenaline contribute to traits like pride and anger. Samayik practice, through focused breathing and concentration, helps control these hormonal secretions, leading to a reduction in passions and an increase in equanimity.

Other Benefits of Samayik:

• Physical and Mental Vitality: Focusing on breath during Samayik can lead to feelings of vibrations throughout the body and a flow of energy, infusing the practitioner with enthusiasm, dispelling despair, and sharpening intellect.
• Spiritual Realization (Self-Realization): The ultimate spiritual benefit is the clear perception of one's true self, leading to an experience of indescribable bliss, akin to the silent joy of a mute person tasting sugar.
• Transformation of Life: Samayik frees individuals from depression, anxiety, and worries, enabling them to live in the present moment. It fosters caution, awareness, and discernment. Principles like non-violence and non-possession become lived experiences. The individual becomes adept at the art of living, experiencing peace and happiness.

In conclusion, "Aatmshakti Ka Stroat Samayik" presents Samayik as a profound and multifaceted spiritual practice that is the key to unlocking inner strength and achieving lasting peace and happiness. It is a practice that transforms one's mind, conduct, and ultimately, one's entire life, leading to spiritual growth and well-being.