Page 508 - Silence Speaks

General - Miscellaneous
JIVA
Jiva, the individual soul, becomes cognizant of its being when it assumes individuality, and that becomes the basis of its existence. Originally jiva and Brahman were quite akin to each other, and it is only the individuality of the jiva which effected a difference between the two. Now jiva as a soul bound up within the ego or individuality came into existence. The sphere it was in also began to cast its effect upon it. Various hues, one after the other, began to settle around it, giving it a new colouring. In a way diversity began to settle in and, step by step, the ego began to develop and grow thicker and denser. Feelings, emotions and desires began contributing their own share to its grossness. Thus jiva, like a golden bird, got itself completely enclosed within the iron cage of the body. All this resulted from the effect of actions and counteractions of thoughts, emotions, feelings and desires (in the zone of ego), which went on adding to its opacity. This is in brief the whole history of the jiva. Now happily if it happens to come into dynamic contact with one who reminds it of its origin, then it begins to
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