Page 55 - Desire to Disaster

But why are we so weak? The soul is infinitely powerful. But
to leverage the soul’s strength, one must break away from
sensual desires, quieten the mind and look inwards.

It is sad that we are willing to use our capacities to the
hilt in order to attain worldly objectives. This only serves to
increase the strength of karmic bondage.
If one wishes to help the soul, here is the path :

Four Methods of Satya-Parākrama {True Effort}

1. Get rid of false understanding. Realise that the soul is
different and distinct from sañsāra and bound to sañsāra
only on account of karma. Never forget the sorrow caused
to the soul by sañsāra and karma.

2. Develop your character and will power. Realise that your
soul possesses infinite strength. You are the most powerful
entity in the universe. I shall not rest till 1`I have got rid of
the attachment and aversion that sully my soul and deprive
it of its infinite powers. Tell yourself I shall follow the
vows, live by the rules, practise asceticism, etc. in order to
destroy attachment and aversion from my soul. Character
is the steely determination to confront unflinchingly all
the trials, tribulations and reversals of fortune in order to
benefit the soul.

3. Do not rely on sañsāra. Realise its fickle nature. Do
not depend on others, whether living beings or material
objects, for your own happiness. Expectation leads to
disappointment and sorrow. Firm conviction in karma
and purushārtha {one’s own efforts made in the right
direction} are required to gain freedom from dependence
on others. Lasting faith in the beneficial Arihantas and the
auspiciousness of their profound teachings need to be put
in action by the seeker.

Desire to Disaster 55