PATH OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Last year I did 8 days fast on our auspicious 8 days of the year called ‘PARYUSHAN’.  Paryushan is the most important Jain religious observance of the year, this is a time of intensive study, reflection and purification. Paryushan means literally, abiding and coming together. It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with the time of confession and forgiveness for the transgression of previous year. The most important part of paryushan is meditation and prayer, which provides an opportunity for looking within and towards the teachings of Tirthankaras (A saviour and spiritual teacher of dharma) for guidance. The science and benefits of fasting  :- As Jainism and science go hand in hand, there is always a scientific proof backing up for any act of Jainism.  Jainism is credited by the scientific community as being among the first religions to believe the existenc...

Meditation is practiced in numerous religious traditions. The earliest records of meditation ( dhyana ) are found in the ancient Hindu texts known as the  Vedas , and meditation plays a salient role in the contemplative repertoire of  Hinduism  and  Buddhism . Meditation is the delicate art of doing nothing and letting go of all efforts to relax in your true nature, which is love, joy, and peace. Meditation is listening to your inner voice. It is a process in which we shift from thinking to feeling. It is a journey from the complexity of mind to the simplicity of heart.  Meditation, cleanses the mind of negative thought patterns. The state of thoughtless awareness brings with it a sense of peace and detached joy. Thus the occurrence of negative thoughts and emotions is naturally reduced without effort. Even experiencing a few seconds of a pure meditative state can have astonishingly long-lasting effects. Meditation is the habitual process of training your mind t...