Inner Journey Part 01 - Book Summary

"Inner Journey Part 01" by Namramuni, published by Parasdham Mumbai, is the English translation of the Gujarati work "Siddhatva Ni Yatra." This book draws from the 29th chapter of the Jain scripture Shri Uttaradhyayan Sutra, titled "Samyak Parakram," which outlines 73 simple steps to detach from worldly attachments and achieve liberation.

The book focuses on the first ten of these crucial steps, presented as milestones on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Pujya Gurudev Shree Namramuni Maharaj Saheb elaborates on each step with detailed explanations, relevant examples, and short stories, aiming to guide readers towards spiritual progress and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

The first ten milestones covered in this volume are:

Samveg (Longing for Salvation): This is described as the soul's attraction towards the Supreme Soul, a strong yearning for liberation and union with the divine. It's presented as the foundational step, essential for any spiritual progress. The example of Chandanbala's unwavering focus on Lord Mahavir illustrates the depth of this longing. Samveg is the spiritual fuel that propels a seeker forward, transforming mere knowledge into lived experience.
Nirved (Disgust for Worldly Objects): This milestone follows Samveg, teaching the importance of developing a dislike for worldly pleasures and attachments. When one genuinely yearns for the divine, the allure of the material world naturally diminishes. The book emphasizes that true spiritual progress comes from an inward focus, similar to how a child approaches learning with innocence and eagerness.
Dharma Shraddha (Faith in Religion): This step highlights the necessity of having unwavering faith in religious principles and surrendering to the Divine or the Guru. It is presented as a ladder to accomplishments, emphasizing that true belonging to Parmatma requires detachment from the world.
Guru Ane Sadharmic Seva (Servitude to Guru & Co-religionists): Serving one's Guru and fellow religious followers cultivates humility and modesty. This section stresses the transformative power of Vinay (humility) and how it leads to spiritual growth, ultimately guiding one towards liberation. It uses analogies like a king and his queens or Arjuna and Lord Krishna to illustrate the benefits of selfless devotion and service.
Aalochana (Confession): This milestone explains the importance of disclosing one's faults, vices, mistakes, and sins to one's Guru with an open heart. It's likened to cleaning a field before sowing new seeds or purifying a kerosene tin before filling it with ghee. Confession is presented as the crucial first step in spiritual cleansing, enabling the soul to receive divine wisdom.
Ninda (Self Repentance): Following confession, Ninda involves internalizing the mistakes and experiencing genuine remorse. It's a process of self-reflection and sorrow for past wrongdoings, which, when coupled with confession, helps wash away sins and brings the soul closer to Parmatma.
Garha (Hatred Towards Sins): This step emphasizes developing an internal aversion and hatred for sins and wrong actions. It's not just about confessing or repenting, but about developing a deep-seated dislike for vices, which eradicates them from one's nature. The book uses the analogy of a plant being uprooted repeatedly to illustrate how repeated exposure to spiritual teachings can weaken the roots of vices, though true liberation comes from simultaneously planting virtues.
Samayik (Equanimity): Samayik is presented as a practice for self-contemplation, purifying one's thoughts and emotions, and fostering virtues like forgiveness and contentment. It's about developing the ability to differentiate between right and wrong and making conscious choices towards virtue. The book highlights that true Samayik involves both uprooting vices and planting virtues, making the spiritual journey a fruitful endeavor.
Chauvisantho (A Hymn for HIM): This refers to singing praises and hymns in devotion to the Tirthankaras, particularly the recitation of Logassa. This practice purifies one's vision (Darshan) and helps break down the obstacles of illusionary perceptions, leading to Right Vision and self-realization. It emphasizes the importance of heartfelt, spontaneous praise that reflects genuine love for the divine qualities.
Vandana (To Bow Down with Devotion): This final milestone in the current volume signifies paying heartfelt respect and reverence. It's about the external act of bowing, but more importantly, the internal surrender and merging of the self with the Divine. Vandana is a process of shedding ego and becoming one with Parmatma, leading to spiritual elevation and the eradication of negative qualities.

The book's overarching message is that by understanding and implementing these ten milestones with faith, devotion, and gratitude towards the Guru, individuals can embark on a profound inner journey towards self-purification, transformation, and ultimate liberation.