Nirvana: The State Of Liberation
Nirvana is considered as a state of liberation from suffering or dukkha and as part of the cycle of rebirths in shramaic philosophy. It is one of the most important concepts for Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, which can only be achieved through different spiritual practices or techniques.
In this way, whoever achieves the state of Nirvana will be absolutely free from all suffering. The being reaches the state of Nirvana after an arduous effort through a long spiritual journey, where it is finally free from any kind of attachment.
Why is the state of Nirvana important in Buddhism?
The state of Nirvana turns out to be extremely important in Buddhism because it breaks the cycle of Samsara. This cycle perpetuates suffering through reincarnation and through karmic experiences.
Through the state of Nirvana an absolute liberation is achieved because the cycle of life and death ends. In this way, karmic debts are absolutely paid, leaving any kind of suffering purified.
Nirvana is the last instance of liberation achieved by those who practice Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It could be said that reaching Nirvana opens the door to a comprehensive peace, oblivious to any type of external circumstance.
Likewise, in general terms the term is also used to designate someone who has managed to overcome himself or to some particularly complicated circumstance. Any kind of negative situation or feeling that causes discomfort can be an obstacle to feeling well-being; therefore, through Nirvana the soul can be liberated and fulfillment with existence.
How to reach the state of liberation?
The path to Nirvana is a personal process to discover the absolute truth, which does not turn out to be a place to go. In this way, to achieve the state of total liberation, the being must renounce all attachment and material desires, since it is considered that this attachment can only bring suffering.
A being is absolutely free when what has ever bound him, such as negative feelings, is overcome. Then a moment of bliss is experienced and it is no longer necessary for the cycle of life and death to take place, since all karmic debts are automatically settled.
However, Nirvana cannot be defined in itself, since it would be delimiting it to worldly or cultural conceptions. Reaching it involves a process of meditation to fully analyze the body and mind, elements that in turn lack independence.
Nirvana from a psychological conception
From a psychological point of view, Nirvana would correspond to a state of calm, of conciliation with oneself , where the conflict ceases to be a burden. We would speak of a state in which tension is reduced to its maximum expression. An absence of psychic tension that would not diminish the sensory reflexes and that would also give emotional stability.
In itself, Nirvana is far from being a psychological concept, in the sense that it is drawn in an original way from a perspective of faith, when psychology is still a science. However, it is a good reflection in its definition of a state to which we can aspire, a positive starting point on which to recharge energy and build changes.
At the same time, it offers us a very interesting reflection on the motivating and “frustrating” role that desires can play depending on our emotional state. A wish can be the stone that ends up sinking us when we are pessimistic and it can also be another source of energy and inspiration when we are optimistic.
