ध्यान - योग : जैन सन्दर्भ
By Acharya Ashok Sahajanand
Summary
This article from *Jnan Deshna* (Vol. 4, Issue 1, Jan-June 2011, pp. 67-70) by Acharya Ashok Sahajanand examines the concept of yoga and meditation as understood by Jain acharyas, focusing on the states and powers of the mind and methods to control them. The word "yoga," while seemingly simple, is difficult to internalize. Patanjali defined yoga as the cessation of mental fluctuations, Buddhist texts equate it with samadhi, and Jain scriptures define it as the union of mind, speech, and body. Despite surface differences, all definitions ultimately aim at controlling these faculties for self-development. Jain acharyas like Haribhadra, Hemachandra, and Shubhachandra have written extensively on yoga. In Jain practice, meditation is considered a key internal austerity, and through unwavering meditation and kayotsarga, self-knowledge and kevala are attained. The article describes four states of mind: vikshipta (distracted), yatayat (unstable), shlishta (steady and joyful), and sulina (motionless and supremely blissful). A beginner must not be discouraged by the mind's initial restlessness; persistent practice will eventually calm it. Concentration is achieved by repeatedly fixing the mind on a single form, thought, or quality. Mental tendencies (vrittis) are the seeds of karmic bondage and future births. By observing and transforming rajasic and tamasic tendencies into sattvic ones through willpower and discrimination, one can elevate one's life. The ultimate goal is the complete development of the soul, revealing its inherent infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. The practitioner must keep this goal firmly in mind, using the "plow" of mantra repetition and the "hoe" of observing tendencies to uproot karmas. For this, the study of texts explaining the soul's pure nature, the immutable laws of karma, and the nature of mental functions is essential.
Conclusion
The document underscores that genuine yogic progress hinges on disciplined self-observation and the systematic refinement of mental states, moving from distraction to serene absorption. It establishes that mastering the mind’s four stages—from restless to fully absorbed—is essential for spiritual advancement, with the ultimate goal being the manifestation of the soul’s innate perfections: infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. The text emphasizes that practitioners must vigilantly monitor their mental tendencies, transforming base impulses into sattvic ones through sustained effort and scriptural study. Crucially, it warns against pursuing miraculous powers as a goal, insisting that only unwavering focus on self-realization yields liberation. By integrating these principles, the article provides a practical roadmap for using meditation to dissolve karmic bonds and achieve the soul’s complete unfoldment, affirming that such disciplined practice alone leads to lasting spiritual fulfillment.