शीलन
By मकरंद
Summary
The text discusses the nature of existence and consciousness, describing how humans live in a world governed by speech, mind, and life force. In the physical world, these three elements operate according to the three time periods—past, present, and future—and the three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. People are subject to these cycles and states. However, if the mind rises slightly above the material world, it can access the subtle realms of sound, point, and art, as well as the practices of meditation, concentration, and samadhi. The text suggests that one who transcends all three levels of existence—the gross, the subtle, and the causal—attains a state of liberation or realization, referred to as "atri." The content is attributed to Makarand and appears in the publication "Jain Bharati" from 2009, with references to pages 49 and 50. The writing emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the limitations of time and states of consciousness to achieve a higher spiritual understanding.
Conclusion
The implications of this text point toward a transformative understanding of human existence, where the gross physical world governed by speech, mind, and life-force is merely a starting point. By recognizing the cyclical patterns of time (past, present, future) and states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, deep sleep), one can begin to transcend these limitations. The outcome is a shift from being subject to these forces to mastering them, allowing access to subtler realms of sound, point, and art, culminating in meditative states like dhyana, dharana, and samadhi. Ultimately, the text suggests that one who offers these three levels of existence—gross, subtle, and causal—into the fire of awareness achieves the state of an Atri, a realized being free from temporal and conditional bonds. This represents a profound inner liberation and a direct path to spiritual enlightenment.