Stress Academy Presents:
Web Series – The Story of Stress
Part 1 – Understanding Stress
Episode 5 – Where Did We Come from?
In the previous video, we learned about the six substances in the universe. Specifically, we concluded that our awareness, beliefs, emotions and feelings of happiness arise in the consciousness which is a separate substance from our body and matter. The first question that arises is “How did the universe and these substances come into existence?” Especially, in relation to ourselves, “where did we come from?” Understanding how we exist could also offer clues on what could happen to us in the future. Answering this question is extremely important for managing our stress because all living beings are naturally concerned about themselves.
Let us assume for a minute that some powerful supernatural phenomena have created everything in nature. This assumption raises more questions such as (1) Where did the raw material for creation of everything come from? (2) How did the supernatural entity come into existence in the first place?
In general, the most common answers coming from the proponents of this theory are (1) the supernatural entity does not require any raw materials and something can be created out of nothing (2) the supernatural entity has always existed and it cannot be created or destroyed.
If there is no raw material required that means something can be created out of nothing. This is a gross violation of the principle of conservation of mass and energy. The scientists say that matter or energy can never be destroyed or created and it can only change its form from one to another. This makes perfect sense! All the other proven and well accepted principles of modern science will collapse if we are to disregard this principle.
Therefore, in order to uphold the conservation principles of science, we must accept that all particles in the universe existed since time immemorial and they will continue to exist till infinity. All particles have been changing their states at every moment while maintaining their existence.
The Jain point of view is in agreement with the scientific principle of conservation that Pudgala (matter or energy) substance is eternal and cannot be created or destroyed but it is continuously changing its states. In fact, Jain philosophy extends this conservation principle to all six substances in the universe.(1) If one substance (matter) can be eternal then why can’t other substances including Jiv (consciousness) be eternal? All six substances in nature are eternal, can never be created or destroyed, and rather they are continuously changing their states. They have existed since infinite time in the past and they will continue to exist till infinite time in the future.(1)
The concept of infinity is well accepted in mathematics and theoretical physics; however, it may be quite difficult for some people to accept it as an embedded reality of nature. Every moment, the present state (Paryay) of the substance gets destroyed (Vyay) while the new state emerges (Uptad) simultaneously but the permanent qualities of the substance remain as is (Dhruv).(2) Let us try to prove this fact through a simple example. Ice cubes turn into water when they receive heat. Water will become vapor when it heats up past its boiling point. Thus, we can notice that water particles continue to change their form while preserving their intrinsic properties of matter. Can we ever develop any method through which we can completely destroy the particles? This is simply not possible because it’s against the laws of physics.
The “Conservation of Substance” remains the only valid, rational and consistent explanation about the existence of all six substances.
Now let’s try to understand how we exist as humans. After conception, a human fetus starts growing by receiving nourishment and building blocks from the mother’s body. After birth, the body continues to grow by acquiring nutrients from the environment. These growth particles are not created by the body, but rather they are simply accumulated by the body from food, water and air. Even though consciousness is a separate entity from the physical body, it should still follow the same principle of conservation. It could not have been created and must have existed prior just like other physical particles already existed before being accumulated. The body particles disintegrate back into the surroundings after death. These particles simply change their form but don’t get destroyed. Likewise, consciousness cannot simply be destroyed but must get preserved in different forms. So, where does consciousness come from prior to birth and where does it go after death? We will answer these questions in the future videos. However, knowing that our consciousness survives and continues to exist could bring some relief for those who might be worried about losing one’s existence with death. (2)
Around the first century CE, the great Jain Acharya Kund Kund documented this principle of “Conservation of Substance” in his treatise Panchastikay Sangrah and Pravachansar.
After learning about the conservation of Consciousness and Matter, you may be wondering about the entity that controls our consciousness and the matter around us? Do you think they are controlled by some external agent or they function independently? If someone else controls us and our emotions then how do we prevent and counter stress?
In the next video, we’ll discover the most intrinsic common properties about the functioning of six substances. These principles will eventually allow us to determine whether ourselves or our circumstances are responsible for causing stress.
Before you go, don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe. Feel free to leave your questions in the comments section.
References:
- Acharya Kundkund. Panchastikay Sangrah. India. ~100 C.E.
English translation and explanation by Vijay K. Jain, inspired by Acharya Vishuddha Sagar. 2020 C.E.
Available at: https://jainelibrary.org/book-detail/?srno=036508
- Acharya Kundkund. Pravachansar. India. ~100 C.E.
English translation and explanation by Vijay K. Jain, inspired by Acharya Vishuddha Sagar. 2018 C.E.
Available at: https://jainelibrary.org/book-detail/?srno=034445
