Sanskar

One should value and understand the importance of each moment. It is incorrect to say that there is a limited time period and that we cannot do everything in one day, this is because we have time for each and every thing that we want to indulge in like studying, going out for fun, but for people who belong to us, we find it difficult to take time out for them, and if we don't take care of our loved ones then our future generations would not take care of us. If we become too liberal, then we sow seeds of carefree attitude in our children who would not care to know about our whereabouts. Then if try to impose through coercion the importance of family and love and care, then our children would disparage making them rebellious towards us.  Children our very sensitive like a budding sapling. Let me give you the example of Lord Mahavira. When Lord Mahavira was in the womb of the mother Trishla, then Lord Mahavira as a fetus realized that when He moves in the womb, it creates a discomfort for the mother, thinking this Lord Mahavira ceased His movements. Mother Trishla got worried knowing that the fetus is no longer moving. The growing tensions of the mother led Lord Mahavira to commence His activities in the womb of his mother.  From that time on, Lord Mahavira took a pledge that He would not give any sort of discomforts to His parents and so He took renunciation or 'dheeksha' after the death of His parents. At the age of 28, Lord Mahavira's parents passed away, then for the sake of his brother, Lord Mahavira lived in the palace just as a person lives in a forest. Thus, at the age of 30, Lord Mahavira followed the path of 'dheeksha'.

If we want to give 'sanskar' to our children then we have to guide our children at right age as it is not necessary that if we are good then our children will be good as well.

Control on Speech, Thoughts and Action

"Aisi vaani boloiye, mann ka aapa hoye,
Auran ko seetal kare, aaphun seetal hoye."

According to saints, Control on one's speech is the toughest thing to attain.One of my visit to a temple made me meet a jain monk, who recited a wonderful message giving story which touched my heart.It goes like this.
A boy from a village came to a city to do a course on journalism. He found a place to reside in front of a big bungalow, which belonged to an old cunning lady who was a moneylender. Everyday the boy use to hear her noise from the house.Once he thought that why doesn't God kill her so that I have some peace. Next day he thought that why doesn't people kill her when she's so cunning. While thinking all this, at the back of his mind he always thought that I should not pay attention to all this and should concentrate on my studies.
Once he was in need of some money for his fees for which he went to the lady. She asked something in return of money for which the boy gave his watch which he said costed Rs 500.The lady looked at it and abused him for wrongly quoting the price of watch.The boy seething with anger unknowingly strangled her. He got scared and ran away. The police started investigating the case but did not get any clue. In the mean the boy's conscience didn't allow him to sit calmly and he went to the cop to tell him the truth. He explained to him that how his one thought led to another and then finally made him to kill her. The cop realized the worth of the boy and gave him money for his fees and asked him to forget the incident and always have control on his thoughts and actions.
The moral of the story is that any time one gets any destructive thought, one should immediately put an end to it as it can become food for another destructive thought or an action for which one has to regret throughout  life.

Essence of Bhagavad Geeta

The Geeta teaches us the art of being in totality.Use your actions in attiude of karma yoga,use your feelings in devotion in bhakti yoga,use your intellect for right understanding in jnana yoga and use your being in silence in dhyana yoga.When there is conflict we tend to counter it with conflict.War is conflict and Gita presents a harmony that could lead to inner tuning. The Gita's message is; Create harmony in conflict'.Most difficulties in dealing with conflict arises out of stress and tension.When you are in great tension, don't fight with it, just fiow with it and then see the cause of the tension and handle it.You see there is a sharp distinction between worrying and worrying effectively. The Bhagavat Geeta helps us to tune to our inner pure state and denounce the illusion of security.Life is insecure, so face it courageously, says the Geeta .Clarity, courage, wisdom and resilience  are true security.Learn to draw energy from that state and not illusion.Then you will see the differnce.

Message by Lord Mahavira

Lord Mahavira taught the entire mankind the lesson of Ahimsa or Non-violence with the notion Ahimsa Parmo Dharm or non-violence is the first act to adhere to. Lord Mahavira gave the first importance to Non-violence in His entire life. Once Lord Mahavira was on deep meditation, looking at his calmness and non-violent appearance, Indra Dev, who was the king of Swarg(heaven) according Hindu mythology was mesmerized when he looked at this sight, and gave the verbal praise in front of Saiyam Dev who lived with Indra Dev. Saiyam Dev's pride was hurt when Indra appreciated the calm and composure look of  Lord Mahavira. 


Saiyam Dev took a pledge to break or disturb this camlness of Lord Mahavir. He resorted to a series of physical torture on Lord Mahavira throughout six months. But Lord Mahavira was unperturbed by these acts of Saiyam Dev and continued to be in a state of deep meditation. 
Saiyam Dev surrendered himself to Lord Mahavira and decided to return but when Saiyam Dev turned to see Lord Mahavira's face thinking that He would be glad at his departure, Siayam Dev was shocked when he saw  tears and compassion in the eyes of Lord Mahavira. Saiyam Dev bowed down on his knees and asked the Lord what led Him to feel so for a person who gave so much pain and torture to Him. 


Lord Mahavira told him that when He decided to leave all the comforts and luxurious living of his life, He went with a motto to finish His past births' misdeeds (or karma) through Tapasya. Lord Mahavira said "I was all alone in my path to finish the misdeeds of my past births but you came as a friend in my journey to help me to get rid my past misdeeds......you took the burden of my karma.......but now I am free from some of my past misdeeds but you, my friend have taken the burden of my misdeeds......when you have to suffer because of your misdeeds, the pain and sufferings I have gone through because of your acts, how would you be able to bear with it, brought tears in my eyes."


Hence, one should always keep in mind that if you are intentionally hurting someone, then you are actually helping the other person to get rid off his sufferings but you are taking the load of those misdeeds.        

Inspiration From Aung San Sui Kyi

Aung San Suu Kiyi was fifteen years under house arrest in Myanmar but years of mental torture could nether break her nor dent her courage and mental fortitude to endure all that she went through- plus the trauma of being denied the right to live with her family- needs a certain spiritual courage and deattachment and Aung San Suu Kiyi's Myanmaar Leader of the National League for democracy revealed these trials in plenty. The world has recognised her stoic struggle and moral victory including her nobel peace prize. Her rare combination of intelligence and charm and generous compassion with which she looks at her erstwhile tormentors.

During her captivity, she had busied herself studying and exercising. She occupied herself in meditation, working on her skills in the French and Japanese language and relaxed herself by playing Banch on the piano. This regular practice of meditation helped her withstand her long confinement and separation from family for so many years.

She is recognized as a symbol of moral and spiritual beauty of a pilgrim.  What Rabindranath Tagore once wrote in his poem "I feel beautiful as my mind is free", rightly applies to Aung San Kyi's beauty that knows no fear.

In Buddhism, it is explained that at this core of our being are profound Brahmaviharas or  heavenly realms which are our true nature and they need to be accessed. These are karuna or compassion, upeka or equanimity, mudita or sympathetic joy for others and metta or loving kindness. Buddism tells you to overcome and avoid negative patterns of thought and at the same time, enhance positive thinking to attain a compassionate , balanced and a spiritual outlook for a more fulfilling sense of well-being.

Suu Kyi's own book, Fear of Freedom proposes that dictators are worried more than anything, by the fear of freedom. She refused to enter into combat with her captors on terms of hate, violence and revenge, and managed with compassion and tolerance to keep the spirit of freedom alive, without fear.

This quality of inner and moral beauty, and spiritaulity in its stoic grace, has enhanced Aung's persona today as the international icon of heroic and peaceful resistance in the face of oppression. Truly, she is a democratic pilgrim.

           

Way To Attain Mental Peace

Peace of mind is the most sought after commodity in human life. It appears that most of us are in a state of perpetual restlessness. On analyzing the causes of this restlessness, I have ventures to find for myself ten solutions that need to be followed religiously if we are serious about achieving perfect peace of mind.

1. Do not interfere in other's business:

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in other's affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic, and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction.

This kind of attitude on our part denies the existence of individuality  and consequently the existence of god, for god has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men and women act the way they do because they are prompted to do so by the divine within them. There is god to look after every thing. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will have peace.

2. Forget and Forgive:

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often nurture ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults or harms us. We forget that the insult or injury was done to us once but by nurturing the grievance we go on excavating the wound forever. Therefore, it is essential that we cultivate the art of forget and forgiving. Believe in the justice of god and the doctrine of karma. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forget and forgive and march on.

3. Do not crave for recognition.

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motive. They may praise you today because you are rich and have power but no sooner you are powerless they will forget your achivements and starts criticising you. Moreover no one is perfect than why do you value the words of praise of another mortal like you? Why do you crave for recognition? Believe in yourself. People's praises do not last long. Do your duties ethically and sincerely and leave the rest to god. 

4. Do not be Jealous:

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know you work harder than your colleagues in office but they get promotions in the office and you do not. Should you be jealous? No, remember everybody's life is shaped by previous karma that has now become his destiny. If you are destined     to be rich not all the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere but will only give  you restlessness.

5. Change yourself according to the Environment.

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you may fail. Instead change yourself to suit the environment.As you do this, even the environment which has remained unfriendly for you, will mysteriously appear to be congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure what cannot be cured:

This is a best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Everyday we face numerous inconvenience, ailments, irritations and accidents that are beyond our control. We must learn to endure them, cheerfully thinking " god will it so, so be it:" God's logic is beyond our comprehensions. Believe it and you will gain in patience, inner strength and in will power.

7. Do not buy more than that you can chew:

This maxim should be always be remembered. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable to carry out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations, spend your free time on prayers, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind, which makes you restless. Fewer of thoughts greater is the peace of mind.

8. Meditate regularly:

Meditation makes the mind thoughtless. This is the highest state of mind. Try and experience it.  If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, rest of the time you will tend to become calm.

This will increase your efficiency and you will turn out more work in less time.

9. Never leave mind vacant:

An empty mind is a devils workshop. All evil deeds start in the mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive and worthwhile. Actively follow your hobby. You must decide what you value more-money or peace of mind.You will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement even if you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of god's name.

10. Do not procrastinate and never regret:

Do not waste time in wondering "should I or shouldn't I". Days, weeks, months and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Always remember god has his own plan too. Value your time and do things. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can rectify your mistake and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes but do not brood over the past. Do not Regret. Whatever happened was destined to happen that way. Take it as the will of god. You do not have the power to alter the course of go's will. Why Cry?        

These ten commandments for the Peace of Mind by Mr. Diwakar.

Power of Jain Chantings-II

Everyday, I gain knowledge from my Gurus although I also gain awareness through newspaper, books and knowledge-based television programs. If one face problems, then make it a point to wholeheartedly remember your guru, which helps one to come out of the problems. This time when I remembered my guru, I could feel his presence and when I went to Jain temple, I saw that my Guru was there. Whatever Guruji spoke in the Pravachan, it seemed as if Guruji sensed my troubles and spoke on that only. He said that one should have control over whatever one speaks, words can avoid disasters and bring happiness and peace. Yours thoughts determine your words, hence one should be a well-wisher for others. Make your mind and thoughts simple and do not indulge in unnecessary things. Do not have the tendency to collect material things as when time passes by, things which you desire are lost in time. If you do not have a desire for materialistic things , you safe yourself from the grief of loosing things. 


My guru Dr.Rajendra Muni Ji told us a story. Once there lived a wealthy trader. He had to travel to different countries for trading gold and gems. One day, when the trader was about to leave for abroad, people asked him that does he know how to swim. He replied "no". Then, worried relatives and neighbors gave him two empty containers, and said that in case you encounter with problems while traveling, these empty containers will safe you from drowning. Unfortunately, the ship on which he was traveling began to sunk. At that very moment he thought that if these containers could save him, then why not put all his gold and gems in those containers. 


When the traders filled those containers with gold and gems, the containers became heavy, and the trader drowned along with those containers. 


Hence, we can understand that one should keep their mind and thoughts simple, and at peace. This can free us from the complexities of life, if we engage our whole life in collecting and relishing in materialistic things and by expecting too much from our relationships, we drag ourselves back to the struggling world.