Jinsutra Lecture 27 Sadhu Ka Sevan Aatmsevan - Book Summary

This text is a lecture by Osho Rajnish titled "Sadhu Ka Sevan Aatmsevan" (The Service of the Ascetic, Self-Service), which is the 27th lecture in his "Jinsutra" series. The lecture focuses on the essence of Jain teachings, particularly the concepts of Samaysara, Samyak Darshan, Samyak Gyan, and Samyak Charitra, emphasizing that these are not external practices but are deeply rooted in the Self (Atma).

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key points:

1. Understanding Samaysara and the Path:

Samaysara (The Essence of the Self): Osho explains that Samaysara is described as being free from all sectarian views and opinions ("savvanayapakkharahido"). It's the pure essence of existence, where one is not bound by dualities or beliefs.
Beyond Intellect: True understanding doesn't come from intellectual comprehension of words but from direct experience. Words are mere pointers, and trying to grasp them intellectually can be misleading. The difficulty in understanding profound spiritual truths is natural, as they transcend ordinary intellect.
The Role of Courage: Osho stresses that courage is more important than understanding on the spiritual path. It's the willingness to dive into experience, even without intellectual clarity. This "audacious courage" is what Mahavir embodied.
The Danger of "Understanding": If one claims to have understood Mahavir's words without the underlying experience, they are missing the point. True understanding arises from practice and deep inner transformation, not from intellectual agreement.

2. The Nature of True Understanding vs. Intellectual Knowledge:

Experiential vs. Intellectual: There are two types of understanding: intellectual (from words, logic, and arguments) and existential (from direct experience). Intellectual knowledge can be stripped away, but experiential knowledge remains.
The Wise vs. The Clever: The "wise" are those who have experienced. The "clever" or "intellectuals" only know words and their combinations. They may appear knowledgeable but lack depth. Mahavir's teachings are simple and direct, not complex. Complex ideas are used by those who lack substance.
The Hindrance of Preconceptions: Holding onto beliefs and opinions ("nay-paksha") prevents the discovery of truth. One must become empty of all preconceptions to truly see. Every belief, whether religious or scientific, creates a barrier.

3. The Path of Non-Attachment and Purity:

Beyond Sectarianism: Osho uses the example of different religions to illustrate how attachment to one's own beliefs (Hindu, Muslim, Jain) blinds one to the universal truth of the Self. The Self is beyond all these labels.
The "Clean Slate" Mind: The mind must be like a blank slate ("kora") to receive the truth. Any prior inscription (belief, opinion) will distort perception.
The Practice of Passivity: True seeking involves a passive, receptive state of mind, not an active, forceful search driven by thought. This passive state, where the mind is like a mirror reflecting reality without adding or subtracting, is the path to realizing the Self.
The Twofold Nature of Seeking: Active seeking leads to overthinking and distraction. Passive seeking leads to stillness and clarity. In stillness, one witnesses what is without judgment or projection.

4. The Essence of Self-Service (Aatmsevan):

The True Meaning of Service: Osho reinterprets the Jain term "sevan" (service) as "bhog" (enjoyment or consumption). The ascetic (Sadhu) constantly "enjoys" or "consumes" Darshan (Perception), Gyan (Knowledge), and Charitra (Conduct).
The "Now" is Key: This "service" or "enjoyment" must be in the present moment ("abhi" and "yahin"). It's not about planning to do it tomorrow. Attachment to the future makes one a householder (grihasth).
The Illusion of "Should": The concept of "should" (chahiye) is a future-oriented desire and implies something is lacking now. The original scriptures simply describe what is for the ascetic. The Self is knowledge, perception, and conduct.
Self-Love and Self-Consumption: "Aatmsevan" means to embrace and "consume" oneself. It's about delighting in one's own being, not seeking external validation or experiences.

5. The Nature of the Self and True Conduct:

The Self as the Source: The Self (Atma) is the source of all true perception, knowledge, conduct, renunciation, self-control, and yoga. These are not external additions but emanations of the Self.
Integration and Transformation: True spiritual growth involves the integration and transformation of inner energies. For example, lust becomes celibacy, anger becomes compassion, attachment becomes love, and violence becomes non-violence. This is not suppression but a natural ripening.
The Danger of Suppression and Negation: Simply renouncing or suppressing desires does not lead to liberation. True transformation comes from integrating and sublimating these energies.
The Nature of True Conduct: Conduct is not about external actions but about one's inner state of being. Being stable and unperturbed, unaffected by praise or criticism, is true conduct. It's about remaining as you are, in your true nature.
Inner Focus: The path lies within. External actions or rituals performed to impress others or out of habit are not the core of the path. The focus should be on returning to the Self.

6. The Path to Inner Realization:

The Seed of Potential: Every human being has the potential for immense inner transformation, like a seed holding the essence of a blooming flower or a sun.
The Obstacles: Societal conditioning, beliefs, desires, and the habit of external seeking create barriers to this inner realization.
The Importance of a "Pure" Experience: The experience of the Self is pure. Mixing it with desires or preconceptions contaminates it. Like adding water to milk, even pure water contaminates pure milk in the context of "milk."
The "Now" is Everything: The present moment is the only reality. The past is gone, and the future is yet to come. True spiritual experience happens in the here and now.
The Power of Non-Action (Nishkriya): The ultimate state is one of non-action, a state of pure witnessing where the mind is still and unattached. This stillness allows the Self to reveal itself.
The Nature of True Prayer: Prayer is not about asking for external favors but about transforming oneself. When you pray, you change, even if the external circumstances don't. Mahavir advocated for direct self-transformation rather than relying on external pleas.
The Goal: Self-Realization: The ultimate goal is to realize the Self, to become one with the divine essence within. This is the true meaning of becoming "Parmatma-avastha" (the state of the Supreme Self).

In essence, Osho's lecture on "Sadhu Ka Sevan Aatmsevan" is a profound call to shift from external rituals and intellectual understanding to a deep, experiential realization of the Self, emphasizing inner transformation, non-attachment, and living fully in the present moment.