Nirvana: the state of liberation

Nirvana is considered a state of liberation from suffering. either dukkha and as part of the cycle of rebirths in shramanic 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.

Thus, whoever achieves the state of Nirvana will be absolutely free from all suffering. The being reaches the state of Nirvana after arduous effort through a long spiritual journey, where he is finally free from any kind of bondage.

“There is, monks, a condition where there is no earth, no water, no air, no light, no space, no limits, no limitless time, no kind of being, no ideas, no lack of ideas, no this world, nor that world, nor sun nor moon. That, monks, I call neither coming nor coming, neither rising nor dying, nor death, neither birth nor effect, nor change, nor stopping: that is the end of suffering.

-Siddhartha Gautama-

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 experiences resulting from karma.

Through the state of Nirvana, absolute liberation is achieved because the cycle of life and death ends. In this way, karmic debts are absolutely settled, and any kind of suffering is purged.

Nirvana is the ultimate instance of liberation achieved by those who practice Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It could be said that achieving Nirvana opens the door to a comprehensive peace, independent of any type of external circumstance.

How to achieve the state of liberation?

The path to Nirvana is a personal process to discover the absolute truth, which is not a place you have to get to. In this way, to achieve the state of total liberation the being must renounce all attachments and material desires, because It is considered that this attachment can only bring suffering.

A being is absolutely free when what has once bound him, such as negative feelings, is overcome. Then a moment of bliss is experienced and the cycle of life and death no longer needs to occur, as all karmic debts are automatically settled.

However, Nirvana cannot be defined in itself, since that would be to limit it to worldly or cultural conceptions. Achieving it involves a meditation process to completely 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, conciliation with oneself where the conflict stops being 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 sensory reflexes and would also provide emotional stability.

In itself, Nirvana is far from being a psychological concept, in the sense that it is originally drawn 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 from which to recharge energy and build changes.

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At the same time, it proposes a very interesting reflection on the motivating and “frustrating” role that desires can play depending on our emotional state. A wish can be the rock that brings us down when we are pessimistic and it can also be another source of energy and inspiration when we are optimistic.