IVY Swadhyay - July 2017
Making Paryushan Easy and part of our daily life.
With the holy festival of Paryushan not even a month from now, all the believers in Jainism would have plans to increase their level of spirituality by fasting, meditating and praying.
While fasting is not always easy, there are other options that everybody (regardless of age, intelligence, profession or class) can undertake easily like the four principles of Jainism. Practicing them daily helps them integrate effortlessly into our lives.
Non-Violence (Ahimsa) - Ensuring that we do not harm to any soul in any way. That is, being extremely careful when you walk, talk, move, eat, use water, electricity etc.
Truth (Satya) - Always speak the truth. Pujya Bapuji would often say: ‘In difficult situations keep mum rather than speak a lie’. Either do not engage into things that you cannot tell others about or have the courage to confess when you have committed any wrong deed.
Non-cheating/Stealing (Achaurya) - Never let even the thought of stealing or cheating enter your mind. In case it does, be vigilant enough to not entertain such a thought.
Non-Possession/Non-attachment (Aparigrah) - Often our stress comes from trying to handle more than necessary – same goes for possessions or material things – allocate the quantity of things you need and give away excess possessions to those in need.
At the end of the day, we may have saved some lives and stopped ourselves from hurting others and mustered courage to own our mistakes, confess and ask for forgiveness.
For spiritual enrichment, Brahmnisht Minalben suggested to follow 6 simple things everyday. These 6 tasks have as much potential as meditation to uplift one’s spirits, make one happy and lead a disciplined life filled with gratitude.
• Wake up with a smile, look at life with enthusiasm and bow 3 times before the enlightened souls to say ‘Thank you’.
• Fold your hands in namaskar mudra to the universe and establish connection with everyone who is a part of it – celestial bodies, nature, family & friends. All souls are alike; the only difference is in the bodily form they take.
• Resolve to see things in positive light. Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Aspire something for the day. It can be anything as simple as spending time with an elderly person, teaching something to someone, helping a friend, politely talking to a person you dislike, to anything personal as beginning to learn a new skill. One must remember that desire is not the same as aspiration. Desire has latent selfishness whereas aspiration is about the joy of learning and giving.
• Never let yourself feel lonely. At any point you feel that you are alone, remind yourself that our Sadguru and our mother are always with you.
• Lastly, before going to bed, pray the Almighty to organize your life, while giving you the strength to take care of your day-to-day activities and the courage to live life judiciously.
Minalben ended with a beautiful and empowering couplet-