Kayotsarga (also spelled Kayotsarg, sometimes heard as Kayotsarga or Kavsagg in local pronunciations) is a key Jain meditation practice.

• What it is: Kayotsarga means giving up or shedding attachment to the body and its sensations, and turning the mind entirely toward the soul (atman). It is a practice of deep internal stillness and awareness, where one observes the body as separate from the self and remains equanimous in thoughts, feelings, and breath.

• How it is used in Jainism: It is central to the ascetic path. Practitioners use Kayotsarga as a way to detach from bodily comforts and fears, to cultivate inner purity, and to recognize the true nature of the soul beyond physical form. It is described in various Jain scriptures as a disciplined form of meditation that helps purify karma and stabilize the mind.

• Differences in Digambar and Shvetambar contexts: Both traditions acknowledge Kayotsarga as a legitimate meditative practice, but the practical details and contexts offered in their canonical and commentarial literature can differ. In Digambar sources, you’ll often find explicit emphasis on undisturbed, minimalistic behavior during meditation, reflecting their emphasis on renunciation. In Shvetambar texts, Kayotsarga is likewise valued, sometimes described with more emphasis on the contemplative aspects and scriptural mindfulness that accompany the practice. The essential essence—detaching from the body to realize the soul—remains shared.

• Quick takeaway: Kayotsarga is the art of "letting go" of bodily identification, so the soul can be seen clearly. It is not resignation but a conscious, disciplined cultivation of inner clarity that supports the Jain goal of liberation.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief, step-by-step outline of a typical Kayotsarga meditation practice or point you to specific Jain scriptures and commentaries that discuss Kayotsarga in more depth.