Happy Diwali!

Happy Diwali! 

The Festival of Lights 

"Until the last moments of his life, Mahavira [of Jainism] inspired many to seek world peace through the establishment in inner peace, and he encouraged people to realize their Divine Nature. For 30 years he traveled throughout India to spread his message. At the age of 72, on the day of Diwali (the Festival of Lights) in the town of Pawa Puri, Mahavira ended his journey in the world while in the state of deep meditation and attained Nirvana." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony Of All Religions) 

"While Divali is popularly known as the "Festival of Lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the Inner Light".

"Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's True Nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent Reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

"The gunas are the underlying forces or tendencies which one needs to have unaffected, direct relation with in order to find effectiveness and righteousness in life: they are lines of potential and illuminate thought and action, thus the inner meaning of Diwali being the Festival of Lights.

"Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner Light (Atman) or the underlying Reality of all things." (Wikipedia)

Jainism and Surat Shabd Yoga - Inner Sound Meditation

Namo arahantanam Namo siddhanam Nomo ayariyanam. Namo uvajjhayanam Namo loe savvashunam. Obeisance to the Worthy souls. Obeisance to the Liberated souls. Obeisance to the Preceptors (Spiritual Guides). Obeisance to the Spiritual Teachers. Obeisance to all the Saints in the world. (Lord Mahavira, Saman Suttam, Jainist Scripture)

Jainisim and Surat Shabda Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound)
By Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj
The Harmony of All Religions,
Excerpted from the chapter on Jainism


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In the Yoga of Sound (Surat Shabda Yoga), the gross material sound manifests initially, and thereafter the Essential Inner Divine Sound (Anahad), also know as OM or Pranava. It is the Cosmic Sound of the beginning.

There are several references to the essential Cosmic Sound in the context of Lord Mahavira’s teachings:

"Taking hold of this essential Anahat element (the Sound of OM) or Shivanam, the ascetics have gone across [beyond] this world of delusion and pain."

In this way meditation upon the mantra and the Essential Sound are described. Also the technique of meditation on the OM Sound is elaborated:

"O Ascetic! Meditate on the Cosmic Sound of OM because it is like rain for extinguishing the fire of suffering. And it is also like a lamp which illuminates the subtle essence of the sacred teachings. It is the governance of good deeds." (Jnanarnva, sarga: 38)

Acharya Tulsi says:

"From the infinitesimal point and the Divine Sound the subtlest waves (vibrations) reverberate."

In his book, The Method of Using Preksha Dhyāna, Acharya Mahapragya writes:

"Close both ears with your hands and listen to the Inner Sounds."

The Jnanarnva (sarga 36) says:

"The mendicant with purified mind should meditate on the sky with rainbow, lightning, and the sound of thunder, and full of clouds."

Swami Jnananada says in the Pandita Puja:

"In the Divine Sound of God (Bhagawan) all the mysteries are revealed."

Shri Jinendravarni states:

"What does one hear with these ears? It is a sweet Sound. . . Closing my eyes, as if I were united with God, I was away from this world. Only my Peace incarnate and dispassionate Lord (Mahavira) and I existed [ego and worldly concerns had vanished in the state of complete tranquility]."

Happy Divali! The Festival of Lights!

 

Happy Divali!

While Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

The gunas are the underlying forces or tendencies which one needs to have unaffected, direct relation with in order to find effectiveness and righteousness in life: they are lines of potential and illuminate thought and action, thus the inner meaning of Diwali being the festival of lights.

Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman). (Wikipedia)

 

 

Know Thyself As Soul, According to Lord Mahavira and Jainism

Know Thyself As Soul, According to Lord Mahavira and Jainism


"Now, since it has been said that you are my twin and true companion, examine yourself, and learn who you are, in what way you exist, and how you will come to be. Since you will be called my brother, it is not fitting that you be ignorant of yourself.." (Yeshua, The Book of Thomas the Spiritual Athlete, Nag Hammadi Library)

 

 

 

The greatest mistake of a soul is non-recognition of its real Self, and it can only be rectified by recognizing itself..

Know thyself; recognize thyself; be immersed in thyself --- you will attain Godhood..

--- Mahavira (Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavira)


By merely meditating upon Him all inflictions of the living souls (jivas) which have arisen from the world are destroyed. These are not destroyed through any other means. He is the Lord of three worlds, and is the Indestructible Supreme Soul..

Whatever is the Supreme Soul, so am I. Whatever is my essential nature, is the essence of Supreme Soul. Therefore, I am fitted for meditating on my inner Supreme Soul --- none other..

--- Pundit Puja Tika


The only method to know Consciousness is to experience (the true nature of) one's Self and thus to purify and uplift the mental tendencies. It is most desirable for the practitioner to search for one's self by one's self. There is no other means other than meditation, which verifies subjectively and substantiates objectively that which previously was only known through listening or teaching..

--- Acharya Tulsi


This soul in itself is illumined by the light of knowledge. However, in this body it is covered by three coverings: the gross body and two subtle bodies (Taijas and Karman shareer). As long as this soul does not recognize its enlightened form, the bondage remains..

An ascetic established in the Self (Atma) is liberated. The ascetic who is not thus established does not attain liberation through mere observance of niyama (outer observances). The state of being established in Atma is the Right Faith (belief verified by experience), and firmness in this is the ‘discerning character endowed with knowledge’..

---Jainist Sutras quoted in the book, The Harmony of All Religions


The person who has recognized the true nature of the soul (Atma) and experienced it through self-knowledge, merges into the Pure Form and becomes Paramatma (Lord, the Supreme Soul)..

--- Pundit Puja Tika


Human beings without knowledge of the Supreme Soul wander through the law of karma in the deep forest of the world. By the knowledge of the Supreme Soul a human being attains a prominent place --- even greater than Indra (king of the gods). Know Him to be the true manifested Supreme Soul. He is the abode of all joys. He is the brilliant light of knowledge. He is the protector. He is the Supreme Person beyond thinking and His nature can not be described..

The One, who can not be described by words and is not conceivable as matter or material stuff is the Supreme Soul. He is infinite, transcends Sound, has no birth, and is not subject to wandering in the world. With a still and tranquil mind meditate on the Supreme Soul..

--- Jainist text called, Jnanarnva

Jainism: Treat all living beings as your own self

Jainism: Treat all living beings as your own self

Jainism: Treat all living beings as your own self

Some Sayings of Mahavira (from a Jainist publication)


SantMat_Mystic_(James)
http://profiles.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

1. Dharma* is the essence of existence.

2. The differentia of Dharma is Ahimsa [non-violence in thought, word, and deed], and compassion ennobles it.

3. Respect for others -- absence of pride and ego -- is the root of Dharma.

4. The ten-fold Dharma (piety) is made of forgiveness, humility, honesty, greedlessness, truthfulness, self-control, curb on one's desires, renunciation, detachment and possessionlessness.

5. Right conduct consists in one's abstaining from hurting others, from speaking untruth, appropriating others' property, from wanton indulgence in sex and from unduly holding to possessions -- this, in short, is the five-fold 'good conduct'.
 
6. Mere reading holy books is of no avail unless knowledge derived from them is translated into practice and used in shaping one's conduct in life.
 
7. If pain is distasteful to you, know well that it is similarly distasteful to other living beings.
 
8. Treat all living beings as your own self.
_____
*Note:

"Dharma": "Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali) is the underlying order in nature and human life and behaviour considered to be in accord with that order. Ethically, it means 'right way of living' or 'proper conduct,' especially in a religious sense. With respect to spirituality, dharma might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. Dharma is a central concept in religions and philosophies originating in India. These religions and philosophies are called Dharmic religions. The principal ones are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, all of which emphasize Dharma (the correct understanding of Nature) in their teachings. In these traditions, beings that live in accordance with Dharma proceed more quickly toward Dharma Yukam, Moksha or Nirvana (personal liberation). Dharma also refers to the teachings and doctrines of the founders of these traditions, such as those of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira. In traditional Hindu society with its caste structure, Dharma constituted the religious and moral doctrine of the rights and duties of each individual."
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma

jainism, Mahavira, dharma, ahimsa, comparative religion, ethics, spiritual principals,