liberation - here and now

Liberation(Moksha) here and now

by Sudhir M. Shah

Transformative Ideas

Liberation – Moksha

Your thoughts

Moksha – Freedom, Liberation

• Derived from the Sanskrit word muc (“to free”), the term moksha literally means freedom. This concept of liberation or release is shared by a wide spectrum of religious traditions including Jainism.

My view

• Liberation is not some distant future goal.

• Follow one, very simple but often ignored Jain principle and experience this ultimate freedom here and now.

Is not achieved by what one does…• to fit in to society• to please others• to show others that they are enlightened• to fulfill the vow imposed by elders or Gurus

It is NOT grounded in fear or greed.

Moksha – the ultimate freedom

No one can challenge it

or obstruct it in any way

Moksha – the ultimate freedom

Moksha – Freedom, Liberation

• Freedom does not mean you can do whatever you want without the consequences.

• Freedom from regrets & complains about the past

• Freedom from worries about the future

• Freedom from “looking good”, “being right”

It is freedom to be - your true self.

Moksha – the ultimate freedom

Liberating self requires a through understanding of

the self

“We are not human beings

having a spiritual experience.

We are spiritual beings having a human experience”

— Chardin

• “Accept not what I say as truth because it is backed by tradition, or because it is the law of the land, or because it sounds good, or because it comes from your teacher. Accept as truth only that which is sagaciously acceptable to reason as well as sentiment” - Anguttar Nikaya

Mahavir said to Gautam

Jain Principles

Non-violence (Ahimsa)Respect for the life of all beings

leading to compassionate living and selfless service

Non-absolutism (Anekantvad)Respect for the views of others

leading to mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence

Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha)Respect for our environment

limiting our needs and honoring who we really are

Youth Question

What is the

single most important

principle of Jain Dharma?

Jain Principles – three legs

Ahim

saA

nekantvad

Apa

rigr

aha

What is the most important leg

of a three legged stool?

The one that is broken

The Jain principle of Aparigraha(non-possessiveness/non-attachment)

• Realistic

• Practical

• Rational

approach to Ultimate Liberation

Aparigraha – Non Attachment

Gives you freedom fromRag – attachmentDwesh - aversion

Our society encourages Parigraha

• Tradition

• Practices

Common Argument

• For spiritual upliftment we need our body

• It needs to be maintained, fed, sheltered, protected, educated etc…

Why than discuss aparigraha?

• Mahavir(599 – 527 BC) said “parigraha seve attai karanti prananam behanam” • Meaning, because of our parigraha we harm other

lives. Our possessiveness is the primary cause of all violence.

• Ahimsa can not be achieved without Aprigraha

• In fact, holding on to a view-point as “the truth” is a form of parigraha

• Anekantvad is nothing but an attitudinal Aparigraha!

Anekantvad can not be achieved without Aprigraha

Aparigraha - Non-possessiveness

& Non-attachment

Great tool for LiberationBut

How do we practice it!

What is Possessiveness (Parigraha)?

• Attachment• Desire• Craving

• Urge• Passion• Possessive attitude

Possessiveness is a Reaction

• To fear of a possible loss of something or someone.

• To insecurity within.

• To greed of wanting more and more

• To our desire to look good

Possessiveness is a vicious circle

•Rooted in greed - mind wants more and more - a never ending process.•More you possess, more the fear of loosing and therefore more insecurity.

Three Types of Attachments

• Attachment to body

Three Types of Attachments

• Attachment to

physical substances

Three Types of Attachments

• Attachment to ones’ views/ideas

Attitudinal non-attachment is Anekantvad

Attachment to body

• 8.4 million species

• Sheltered, fed, nurtured and allowed to grow

• Humans are not satisfied with the bounty of nature

• Love v/s Attachment

Attachment to physical substances

• Arises out of greed, ego

• Keeping up with the Jones’

• Being better than others

• Looking good / not looking bad

Being right / making others wrongDominating / Avoid dominationValidating self / invalidating others

Attachment to views

Overcoming Attachments

• Knowing the transient nature of things helps overcome attachment

• True aparigraha is mental, not physical

“External renunciation is meaningless if soul remains fettered by internal shackles”

- Bhava-pahuda(13)

Experience Freedom Now

Eliminate

Guilt, Blame, Shame

Experience Freedom Now

Discard your judge’s robe

Experience Freedom Now

Standards and Ideals

v/s

Principles and Values

Experience Freedom Now

Be an observer

Experience Freedom Now

Give up “looking good”

being “right”

urge to win

Practice… Practice… Practice

• What will you take on?