Notion Of Growth

This document is a detailed summary of "The Notion of Growth" by Hermann Kuhn, a book that presents the first chapter of the ancient Jain scripture, the Tattvarthasutra. The book aims to provide a practical guide to discovering and unfolding unknown dimensions of one's consciousness.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key concepts presented in the text:

Core Premise:

• Rediscovering Enthusiasm: The book begins by lamenting the common human experience of losing early childhood enthusiasm and fascination with life, often due to societal conditioning and disappointments. It posits that this lost enthusiasm can be rekindled by exploring inner dimensions of consciousness.
• Jain Philosophy as a Practical Path: The Tattvarthasutra, presented here, is introduced as one of the oldest philosophies, offering a logical view of the universe and a practical, systematic method for dynamic cognitive and loving understanding. Unlike many religions, Jainism emphasizes self-reliance and doesn't focus on worshiping deities or blind faith.
• Unlocking Inner Potential: The ultimate goal is not annihilation of self or mere intellectual understanding, but an ever-growing, loving expansion of being, leading to self-determination and capabilities often attributed to supernatural beings. This is achieved through the gradual dissolution of obstructions that limit consciousness.

Key Concepts from the Tattvarthasutra (Chapter 1):

• Sutra 1: The Path to Liberation (Moksha Margah): This sutra defines the path to liberation as a triad of:

  1. Samyag Darshana (The Notion of Growth): An intuitive ability to choose the optimal action that leads to expansive experiences and understanding. It's an inherent, unfoldable faculty that guides us towards our inner potential and helps us discern truth. It's described as having two stages: navigating out of the "absurd" physical world (first stage) and then embracing the unfolding inner reality (second stage).
  2. Samyag Jnana (Right Knowledge): Knowledge that makes us recognize and understand the mechanisms of consciousness unfolding. It alerts us to hidden experiences and helps connect them to our understanding. This knowledge can come through various channels, some unknown to the West.
  3. Samyag Charitra (Right Conduct): Manifesting these insights into action. The book emphasizes that spiritual development requires activity and integration of insights into daily life, not withdrawal from the world.

• Sutra 2: Confidence in Reality: True "Notion of Growth" (samyag darshana) originates from confidence in the purpose of reality, which is to facilitate the realization of our inner ideals and values. This confidence isn't blind faith but a personal experience of growth.

• Sutra 3: Sources of the Notion of Growth: The Notion of Growth arises either through intuition (nisarga) – a clear, certain recognition of blockages and insights – or through the acquisition of special knowledge (adhigama), which rearranges thoughts and emotions dynamically.

• Sutra 4: The Nature of Reality: Reality (tattva) is described as comprising:

  • Jiva: The individual impulse of life, consciousness.
  • Ajiva: Elements that do not possess consciousness (matter, space, time, etc.).
  • Asrava: The mechanism by which living beings attract karmic matter.
  • Bandha: The binding of karmic matter to a living being.
  • Samvara: The termination of the process that binds karmic matter.
  • Nirjara: The separation of karmic matter from a living being.
  • Moksa: Liberation from all limiting influences. The book details how these mechanisms, driven by action, shape our experience and how karma is not a mystic force but a subtle matter that binds through our ignorance, error, and strong emotions.

• Sutra 5: Four Planes of Reality: We experience reality on four distinct planes, and confusing them leads to misunderstanding:

  1. Nama (Articulation): The plane of names, terms, communication, and social mechanisms.
  2. Sthapana (Mental Structure): The plane where we form our personal reality, our selection process, and our preconceptions.
  3. Dravya (Potentially Possible Features): The latent, unmanifested potential of all elements, forming the basis for shared perception.
  4. Bhava (Present Manifestation): The plane where individual features of elements manifest in the actual present.

• Sutra 6: Two Types of Perception: We gain insight through:

  1. Pramana (Total Perception): Immediate, complete comprehension of complex situations, a highly natural and vital ability used unconsciously in daily life (e.g., crossing a street). It's our direct connection to consciousness.
  2. Naya (Partial Sights): An analytic method focusing on specific aspects of reality from a limited perspective. While useful for communication and detail, it can lead to fragmentation if not balanced with pramana. The West often overemphasizes naya.

• Sutra 7: Developing Pramana: Total perception is developed by: directing attention, accepting insights as our own, becoming aware of its mechanisms, finding its causes, prolonging its duration, and allowing it to influence our life.

• Sutra 8: Information Perceived by Pramana: Pramana perceives existence, qualities, location, immediate sense-experience, time, purpose/meaning, active qualities, and quantities/proportions of all elements.

• Sutras 9-31: Types of Knowledge and Channels: The book delves into five types of knowledge (jnana), categorized by their channels:

  • Mati (Sense Perception): Through senses and mind (indirect).
  • Sruti (External Knowledge): From scriptures, teachers (indirect).
  • Avadhi (Clairvoyance/Telepathy): Beyond senses (direct).
  • Manah-Paryaya (Direct Mental Perception): Perceiving others' minds (direct).
  • Kevala Jnana (Omniscience): Complete, unlimited knowledge (direct). It explains how these channels work, their limitations, and how error can creep in, particularly with mati, sruti, and avadhi.

• Sutras 32-33: Error and Partial Sights: The book discusses how error arises from faulty perception processing and the importance of the Notion of Growth to avoid it. It details the seven steps of partial sights (naya) for systematic exploration of reality.

The Application Section:

• 14 Stages of Development (Gunasthana): This section outlines the progressive stages of spiritual development according to Jainism. It explains that these stages are not strictly sequential but interconnected, with insights into higher stages offering motivation. The stages are characterized by evolving karmic influences and shifts in consciousness. The book emphasizes that understanding these stages helps in dealing with life's themes and accelerating personal growth.
• Five Freedoms: The book presents an interpretation of the "Five Freedoms" as dynamic lines of action for growth: profound understanding and compassion for all beings, an intense craving for truth, the insight that necessary components for liberation are within, the intention to grow, and the recognition of the diminishing importance of material possessions. This interpretation is contrasted with the conventional Jain understanding of these as vows related to ethical conduct.
• Regarding Reincarnation: The book recontextualizes reincarnation not as a religious fable but as a mechanism for fulfilling inner aspirations across lifetimes. It likens death to the transition into a dream state, emphasizing the continuity of consciousness and identity. It advocates for taking conscious steps now to manifest ideals rather than waiting for future lives.
• The Holy Scriptures of the Jains: A brief overview of the structure and categories of Jain scriptures is provided, highlighting their ancient origins and the wisdom they contain regarding consciousness expansion.
• What to Do: Practical advice is offered:
  1. Become aware of your insights: Pay attention to fleeting moments of wakefulness and clarity.
  2. Go for the higher choice: Choose the more challenging path that leads to growth.
  3. Carry out intentions: Act on your decisions and avoid procrastination.
  4. Make a list: Write down aspirations, dreams, and desires to help manifest them.
  5. Become a vegetarian: Experience the potential for mental clarity and lightness.
  6. Be courageous: Confront fears and embrace the unknown as a path to freedom.

Overall Message:

"The Notion of Growth" by Hermann Kuhn serves as an accessible introduction to the profound spiritual and psychological teachings of Jainism, specifically the Tattvarthasutra. It aims to empower individuals to tap into their inner potential for growth, understanding, and ultimately, liberation, by offering a practical framework for self-discovery and conscious living.