Biological Law Of Nature And Karma - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Biological Law Of Nature And Karma" by Rajnikant Patel, based on the provided pages:

Core Concept: Holistic Inner Science and the Interplay of Nature and Karma

The book presents "Holistic Inner Science" as the study of our inner and outer life, emphasizing living in harmony with natural laws, the universal regulatory system, and the universe as a whole. The central theme is the profound connection between our actions, intentions (bhavnas), and the resulting consequences, explained through the lens of Nature's scientific principles and the Jain concept of Karma. The foundational principle is "As you sow, so will you reap."

Understanding Nature:

Scientific Circumstantial Evidence: Nature is described as a scientific system that accumulates and disperses circumstantial evidence.
Data-Driven Results: Nature functions by providing results based solely on the "data" fed into it.
Our Role in Data Input: We, through our decisions, projections, and "bhavnas" (intentions/inner states), feed this data in the form of vibrational energy.
Reciprocity: What we feed into nature (happiness or misery) is returned to us with interest at appropriate times and circumstances.
Innate Quality: Nature's innate quality is to maintain balance, whereas human nature tends to create imbalance.
Nature's Neutrality: Nature is always helpful; it facilitates both falling and rising without any inherent intention. Our understanding of how to live in harmony with it is crucial.
Biological Laws of Nature:
1. Nature provides for the needs of all living creatures.
2. It returns what we feed it (happiness/misery) with interest.
3. It facilitates biological processes like digestion and waste production.
4. We are guests of nature.
5. We need to live in harmony with nature to succeed.

Understanding Karma:

Cause and Effect: Karma is understood as a two-part process: cause (charge) and effect (discharge).
The Role of the Pure Soul (Chetan) and Matter (Pudgal):
- Both the Pure Soul and Matter have inherent, unchanging properties.
- When they come together, "extra special properties" are generated, leading to the egoistic belief of "I am the name-bearer, I am the doer." This is termed "vibhav parinam" in scriptures.
- The perceived "life" is the changing phases of both matter and the soul.
Charge Karma (Binding Karma):
- The Root Cause: Charging occurs as long as one believes "I am the doer" (mithyatva or wrong belief). This charging stops with the right belief (Samyak Darshan).
- Mechanism: With the belief of being the name-bearer and doer, in the presence of consciousness, ego (vibhav parinam) is generated. Molecules are charged based on the "bhav" and stored in the "inner computer" (pure consciousness), which is then transmitted to the "outer computer" (natural regulatory system).
- Examples:
  - Attending a seminar with the intention of "time passing" blocks future learning, while attending with a desire to learn creates future opportunities.
  - Donating money with regret blocks future charity, while donating with a desire to give more sows seeds for future giving.
  - Coveting a sari or desiring to be a chartered accountant or a monk, due to perceived richness or suitability, are points of charging.
  - Lingering taste and desire for food, or conversely, disliking food, leads to charging of new karma.
Discharge Karma (Effect Karma):
- Current Existence: Our current human form is a discharge of karma charged in past lives. All current circumstances are also discharge karma.
- The Key is Bhav: The state of meditation and inner state during discharge (Aarta, Raudra, Dharma, or Shukla Dhyan) is crucial.
- Example: When insulted, reacting with anger (Aarta/Raudra Dhyan) versus internally rationalizing and avoiding retaliation (Dharma Dhyan) represents different responses to discharged karma.
- Origin of Suffering/Disease: Suffering and diseases arise from inflicting harm on other living beings, where "charged atoms" manifest through our aura or genetics, leading to imbalances and eventual disease.
- Choice in Discharge: We are not helpless in the discharge of karma. We have free will.
- Right Understanding: Our vision and understanding of circumstances, not the circumstances themselves, determine happiness or unhappiness. Right understanding can resolve issues and lead to happiness.
- Transforming Discharge: Even in difficult situations, seeing benefits and positivity, as taught by Mahavir Bhagwan, can convert unfavorable situations into favorable ones.

Stopping the Binding of New Karmas:

Eliminating Wrong Beliefs: It is possible to stop binding new karmas by eliminating the two pillars of wrong beliefs: "I am the mind, body, and speech" and "I am the doer."
Egoism as the Cause: Egoism, stemming from the belief "I am the name-bearer and I am the doer," is the cause of binding karma and wrong belief (Mithyatva).
Liberation: Freedom from this wrong belief leads to the right belief (Samyak Tatva). Examples like Gijisukumar (who remained calm internally during suffering) illustrate this.
The Role of Tirthankaras and Gyani Purush: They fracture our wrong beliefs and dissolve our ego by planting the "I" in the Pure Soul. They seal off the causal mind (ego), stopping new karma charging and allowing only the discharge of existing karma to occur amicably.

The Science of Bhav (Intentions/Inner States):

Change the Seed, Not the Fruit: Instead of trying to change behavior (the effect), change the seed (intentions) through right understanding, inner decisions, resolutions, and projections.
Holistic Inner Science Approach: This is a practical approach to changing thoughts, mindfulness, and decisions, leading to natural behavioral changes.

Key Practices and Bhavnas:

2 Principal Bhavnas:
1. To not hurt any living being with mind, speech, or body, and to use them for the benefit and happiness of others.
2. To earnestly desire to know "who I am" and to meet an experienced Gyani Purush for guidance.
9 Divine Codes of Conduct Bhavnas: These are universal bhavnas for rich inner living, representing the essence of scriptures as practiced by A.M. Patel (Dada Bhagwan). They focus on:
1. Not hurting the ego of any living being (through mind, speech, body, or relative pluralism).
2. Not hurting the viewpoint or beliefs of any religion or faith.
3. Not uttering untrue adverse things, offending, or showing disregard towards spiritual figures.
4. Not disliking or hating any living being.
5. Not speaking harsh or hurtful language, and speaking soft, soothing language.
6. Restraining from perverted sensuality or passion.
7. Controlling excessive temptation towards food tastes.
8. Not uttering untrue adverse things or showing disregard towards any being (living or dead, present or absent).
9. Being instrumental in the welfare of the world (common good).
- Practice: These bhavnas should be resolved and prayed for heartily three times a day, not mechanically, but with sincere intention.

Conclusion:

The book emphasizes that nature is an echo of our own projections and former intentions. By understanding the scientific laws of nature and karma, and by cultivating the right "bhavnas" and eliminating ego and wrong beliefs, individuals can cease binding new karmas and eventually achieve liberation. The ultimate goal is to understand one's true self and live in harmony with the universal order.