Jinsutra Lecture 17 Aatma Param Adhar Hai

This text is a lecture by Osho Rajneesh titled "Jinsutra Lecture 17: Atma Param Adhar Hai" (The Soul is the Ultimate Foundation). It delves into the teachings of Jainism, particularly the concept of the soul (Atma) and the path to spiritual realization as outlined by Lord Mahavir.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key themes and points discussed:

1. The Nature of the Soul and the Illusion of the Self:

• The Soul as the Ultimate Foundation: The core message is that the soul (Atma) is the ultimate reality, the bedrock of existence. Everything else is transient and ultimately secondary.
• The Cycle of Existence: Life is likened to a wheel, constantly turning. We get caught in cycles of experience, like anger, attachment, greed, and hatred, rising and falling, but fundamentally remaining in the same place. True progress means breaking free from this cycle.
• The Illusion of "I" and "Mine": The speaker emphasizes that our perceived self, the ego, and our sense of possession ("mine") are the root of suffering. The journey is about shedding these illusions.
• Beyond Time and Space: The soul is beyond the limitations of time and space. It has no birth, no death, no location, and no temporal boundary.

2. The Path of Liberation (Moksha):

• Transcending the Outer Self: The lecture quotes a Jain scripture: "Leaving the outer self (Bahirappa) through mind, speech, and body, ascend into the inner self (Antarappa) and meditate on the Supreme Soul (Paramatma)." This highlights the need to move beyond the external and superficial.
• Mind, Speech, and Body as Obstacles: Mahavir's teachings identify mind, speech, and body as the three main vehicles of illusion and bondage. These create our "world" and our limitations.
• The Power of Words (Vachan): Words create our reality and our conditioning. Advertisements, societal norms, and personal beliefs are all constructed through words. Osho uses examples like the "Binaca toothpaste" campaign to illustrate how repetition and suggestion can create deep-seated conditioning, making us slaves to words.
• The Body as the Grossest Form of Mind: The body is seen as the most solidified form of mind. The connection between mind and body is so profound that they are almost one.
• The Practice of Simplicity and Naturalness: Mahavir's life exemplified naturalness and simplicity. He didn't adhere to artificial cleanliness rituals, not out of laziness but out of a deeper understanding of the body's natural state. The speaker contrasts this with the artificiality of modern life and the attempts of some to imitate Mahavir, which can lead to further complications.
• Shedding Attachments and Illusions: The path involves systematically letting go of:
  • Body Attachment: Realizing that the body is temporary and composed of elements, not the true self.
  • Word Attachment: Recognizing the illusory nature of words and their power to condition us.
  • Mind Attachment: Moving beyond thoughts, desires, and the constant chatter of the mind.
• The Courage to Be Alone (Aloneness vs. Loneliness): Osho distinguishes between "loneliness" (lonelynes), which stems from the absence of others and carries a sense of suffering and desire for connection, and "aloneness" (alones), which is a state of being complete in oneself, independent of external validation. Mahavir's solitude was of the latter kind.
• The Importance of Inner Transformation: The lecture stresses that true change comes from within, not from external actions or adherence to rituals. Practices like meditation and mindful observation are key.

3. The Meaning of Key Jain Terms and Concepts:

• Nirgrantha: A state of being without knots, bindings, or complexes. It signifies a simple, unadulterated existence.
• Niraga, Nishalya: Being free from attachment (राग) and without thorns or wounds (शल्य), meaning free from the pain caused by unmet desires and ego-driven wounds.
• Nirbhay: Fearlessness, which arises from the realization of the immortal nature of the soul.
• Nir-dwandwa: Beyond dualities – not just absence of two things, but an absence of the conflict and friction that arises from dualities. This is considered even more profound than "advaita" (non-duality).
• Param Adhar (Ultimate Foundation): This refers to the Atma, the soul, which is the self-existent, uncreated basis of all.

4. The Role of Faith and Experience:

• Description, Not Definition: Mahavir's words about the soul are not definitions or explanations but descriptions and pointers. True understanding comes through inner experience, not intellectual comprehension.
• The Value of Shraddha (Faith): While science relies on empirical proof, religion requires a leap of faith. One must trust the words of enlightened beings like Mahavir and embark on the journey of exploration.
• The Personal Nature of Spiritual Discovery: The "laboratory" of spiritual realization is entirely personal. You cannot take others into your inner experience, nor can you enter theirs.

5. Overcoming Societal Conditioning and the Crowd:

• The Tyranny of the Crowd: The lecture warns against being swayed by the crowd mentality. The desire to increase followers is a weakness, not a sign of truth.
• Individuality vs. Conformity: The true path requires breaking free from societal conditioning, which is often built on words and shared beliefs.

In essence, Osho's lecture on "Atma Param Adhar Hai" is a profound exploration of the Jain path to liberation, emphasizing the transcendence of the ego, the shedding of all attachments, and the realization of the soul's true, fearless, and natural state. It calls for a radical inward journey, moving beyond the limitations of mind, speech, and body to experience the ultimate reality.