Understanding And Control Of Kashayas

This document, "Understanding and Control of Kashäyäs (Toxic Emotions)" by Anop R. Vora, is an exploration of the central role of emotional control in Jainism, presented as a path to spiritual progress and liberation (Moksha).

The book identifies Kashäyas as the primary destructive emotions: Anger, Arrogance, Deception, and Greed. It explains that the term "Kashäya" literally means "to gain samsara again and again," signifying how these emotions perpetuate the cycle of birth and death by attracting karmic particles. The text emphasizes that these emotions are considered "inner enemies" and their eradication, even at a micro-level, is essential for spiritual advancement. Jain rituals and prayers often include pleas to Tirthankaras for guidance in overcoming these very emotions.

The author details how Kashäyas are further categorized based on their intensity and duration, leading to 16 sub-categories (4 for each of the primary Kashäyas). These are:

• Anantänubandhi Kashäy: Highly intense, long-lasting emotions.
• Apratyakhyaniya Kashay: Strong emotions that taper off after about a year.
• Pratyakhyaniya Kashäy: Mild emotions that dissipate within a few months.
• Samjvalan Kashäy: Very mild, momentary reactions.

The text also introduces Nokashäyäs, which are described as "quasi kashayas" that act as catalysts for the primary emotions. These include laughter (based on ill intentions), happiness/unhappiness, grief, fear, disgust, and sexual passions. In total, including the primary Kashäyas and Nokashäyäs, there are 25 categories often referred to as Charitra Mohaniya Karma in karmic terminology.

The book delves into each of the four primary Kashäyas:

• Anger: Discussed as a powerful, often instinctive emotion that can lead to broken relationships, physical ailments (increased heart rate, blood pressure), and long-term health issues like heart disease. It highlights the process of anger creation and expression, advocating for prevention through awareness and techniques like "counting to ten" and using religious remedies like forgiveness, understanding, and compassion.
• Arrogance: Considered more destructive than anger as it often lacks an external catalyst and is outwardly apparent. Arrogance is linked to ego-boosting, seeking undue respect, and a "blindness" to reality, leading to downfall. Historical and modern examples illustrate its destructive consequences. The proposed remedies include humility, politeness, acknowledging the problem, reality checks, recognizing the impermanence of fortune, and understanding the equality of souls.
• Deception: Driven by greed and wrong beliefs, leading to lies, fraud, and dishonesty. Deception is characterized by a disharmony between thoughts, speech, and actions. The book states that deception ultimately leads to suffering and can result in rebirth as an animal. The antidotes suggested are a simple life with limited desires and a straightforward disposition.
• Greed: Identified as the most powerful and dangerous emotion, fueling the other three. Greed is described as the "father of all sins" and can persist even at higher spiritual levels. It leads to insatiable desires, mental turmoil, dissatisfaction, and health problems. The prescribed cure is contentment by limiting desires and balancing needs with wants.

The document then explains the Kashäyäs, Nokashäyäs, and the Karmic Cycle. It outlines how past karmas lead to events, which trigger emotions (Rag/attachment and Dwesh/aversion) based on ignorance. These emotions, in turn, lead to verbal and physical actions that create new karmas, perpetuating the cycle of birth, death, and suffering. The text argues that controlling these toxic emotions automatically controls sinful behaviors, leading to spiritual transformation.

The book connects contemporary societal ills like wars, terrorism, financial collapse, and global warming directly to the rampant use of poisonous emotions like arrogance, anger, deception, and greed by leaders.

The discussion on how to control Kashäyas and break the Karmic Cycle emphasizes addressing the root causes of ignorance and wrong beliefs. The primary solution proposed is recognizing the true nature of the soul as distinct from emotions, body, and karma. This awareness, coupled with practices like meditation, allows the soul's intrinsic qualities (forgiveness, humility, contentment, compassion) to guide actions. The text advocates for slowing down reactions to stimuli, reflecting on past karmas, and acting dispassionately to minimize new karmas.

The author highlights the importance of a spiritual guide (sadguru) for feedback and guidance, the company of religious people (satsang) for positive reinforcement, and self-study. Detachment (Vairagya), achieved through reflecting on the impermanence of all material things (Anitya Bhavana), is also crucial.

The text lists several Jain rituals as effective techniques for controlling Kashäyas:

• Samayik: A 48-minute meditation for self-awareness and clarity.
• Pratikraman: Introspection and seeking forgiveness for mistakes, recommended daily or periodically.
• Daily reminder of 12 Bhavanas (Reflections).
• Paryushan and Das Lakshana: Annual festivals focused on forgiveness and spiritual attributes.

The book concludes by reiterating that Jainism offers a unique analysis of the root causes of human suffering and provides a practical, ethical philosophy for a passion-free, restrained, and compassionate life. It suggests that by understanding and practicing these principles, individuals can achieve inner transformation, contributing to global peace and harmony. The author cites President Obama's mention of Lord Mahavira freeing himself from base human impulses as an example of this recognition.