Mahavir Vani Lecture 35 Aap Hi Hai Apne Param Mitra - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Mahavir Vani Lecture 35 Aap hi Hai Apne Param Mitra" by Osho Rajnish:

This lecture delves into the profound Jain principle of the self as its own greatest friend and enemy, as articulated by Mahavir. Osho explores the interconnectedness of resolution (Sankalp) and surrender (Samarpan) in spiritual practice and emphasizes the importance of inner self-mastery.

The Self as Creator and Destroyer:

Core Principle: The fundamental teaching is that the soul (Atma) is the architect of its own happiness and suffering. It is the creator of both, and the destroyer of both.
Friend and Enemy: An individual who walks the righteous path becomes their own friend. Conversely, one who treads the wrong path becomes their own enemy.
Inner Battle: The five senses, anger, pride, delusion, and greed are identified as formidable adversaries. However, the greatest challenge, and the most crucial victory, lies in conquering one's own self. Conquering the self means conquering everything.

The Interplay of Resolution and Surrender:

The Question: The lecture addresses a common confusion about how to reconcile the paths of resolution (Sankalp) and surrender (Samarpan), especially when Mahavir's teachings and Osho's own meditation practices seem to incorporate both.
No Direct Methodological Overlap: Osho clarifies that in terms of spiritual methods, resolution and surrender have distinct paths. However, within the human being, there is an inherent integration of both.
The Androgynous Nature of Humans: Drawing on modern psychology (specifically Carl Jung), Osho posits that every person possesses both masculine and feminine qualities. The difference is in emphasis. Resolution is often associated with the masculine, and surrender with the feminine. However, since no one is purely one or the other, both energies are present.
The Inner Search: Humans are drawn to those who complement their hidden inner qualities. This external search for a perfect match is ultimately futile because the inner archetype is unique. The true fulfillment lies in the inner union of one's own masculine and feminine energies, leading to a state of complete, undivided consciousness.
Complementary, Not Conflicting: While the methods of resolution and surrender are distinct, an individual on the path of resolution will still have a subtle element of surrender, and vice versa. The key is that the chosen path should align with one's dominant inner energy.
The Starting Point: Even the path of surrender begins with a resolution – the decision to surrender. Similarly, living by resolution requires a commitment, a surrender to one's decisions.
The Danger of Over-Emphasis on Resolution (Krishnamurti Example): Osho uses J. Krishnamurti as an example of someone who emphasized the path of resolution, rejecting gurus, scriptures, and methods. While Krishnamurti's message is philosophically sound, Osho argues it is dangerous for the masses because it appeals to ego and can lead individuals astray, as they are not ready for such self-reliance. Those who are truly ready for the path of resolution, Osho suggests, would likely not need external guidance. Krishnamurti himself, Osho points out, was heavily guided by his teachers (Annie Besant, Leadbeater) before forging his own path.

The Nature of True Surrender and the Illusion of External Reliance:

Authentic Surrender: True surrender is not about abandoning responsibility to an external figure like a guru or a deity. It's about a complete yielding of oneself, which is itself a powerful resolution. If a person truly surrenders, the result follows, independent of the external symbol.
The Trap of False Surrender: Many people think they have surrendered but are still attached to outcomes, constantly checking if anything has happened. This is not surrender; it is still a form of calculation. Surrender is complete abandonment without expectation.
The Importance of Inner Commitment: Whether one chooses resolution or surrender, the crucial aspect is to fully commit one's inner energies to the chosen path. If one is on the path of resolution, their inner capacity for surrender should be channeled into supporting that resolution. If one is on the path of surrender, their inner capacity for resolution should support that surrender.
The Destructive Nature of Unused Energy: Unused inner energies become destructive. It is vital to channel all one's capacities creatively into the chosen spiritual path.

The Illusion of External Causes for Suffering:

Self-Inflicted Suffering: Osho strongly emphasizes that all suffering originates from within. When we get angry, we hurt ourselves, regardless of the impact on the other person. The preparation for anger, the inner turmoil, is the true suffering.
The Cycle of Self-Sabotage: People often project their inner conflicts onto others, making external people their perceived enemies. This is a form of self-deception, avoiding the more difficult task of confronting and transforming the inner self.
The "Seeker" Mentality: Even those who seek spiritual answers from external sources (like listening to Krishnamurti or reading scriptures) are, in a way, seeking, indicating they cannot navigate their inner journey alone.
The Trap of Attachment to Words: Relying solely on words, even spiritual ones like those in the Gita, is like holding onto a milestone instead of reaching the destination. Words are pointers, not the truth itself. True understanding comes from inner experience.
The Danger of "Substitute" Truths: The comfort of familiar words can become a substitute for the direct experience of truth, preventing growth and transformation.

The True Nature of Self-Conquest:

The Most Difficult Conquest: While external vices like anger and greed are challenging, conquering the self is the most formidable. This is because we are often unaware of the suffering we inflict upon ourselves.
Projection of Inner Conflict: We attribute our suffering to external factors (other people, past lives) because we haven't realized that the root cause is our own inner state.
The Illusion of External Causation: When someone insults us, our attention often goes to the perpetrator, not to the inner reaction within ourselves. True spiritual progress involves redirecting attention inward to understand our own internal responses.
The Alchemy of Attention: The key to transformation lies in shifting one's attention from external objects to the inner subject. By consistently bringing attention back to oneself, the perceived enemy within transforms into a friend, and poison becomes nectar.

The Path to True Happiness:

Inner Source of Joy: True happiness cannot be found in external possessions, relationships, or achievements. It must be cultivated from within.
The Paradox of Giving: One cannot truly give what they do not possess. Those who haven't found inner happiness cannot genuinely offer it to others.
The Danger of Unwanted Peace: Even the concept of eternal bliss in Moksha (liberation) can be daunting, as absolute unchanging happiness might become unbearable. The human psyche often thrives on contrast and variety.
Self-Friendship as the Foundation: The ultimate goal is to become one's own friend, to find happiness within. This self-friendship is the prerequisite for any true connection with others or the universe.
Living Beyond Words: The lecture concludes by urging listeners to move beyond the reliance on words and scriptures and to embrace their inner experience, realizing that all spiritual masters are merely pointing towards the truth hidden within. The journey of self-discovery is the only path to true freedom and joy.