How do you know, you are blessed

If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced   the danger of battle,

the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.

 

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

 

 

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

 

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

 

If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare,
especially in the Western world.

 

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.

 

 

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.

 

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

 

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.

[Source: God bless that person who sent us this by email, and we thought of sharing with you]

Bring your own grocery bags - Green think (thing).

In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags were not good for the environment.   Think again, who was green back then and now who is not thinking green.  Is this what you call progress?

1. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized, and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly.  Therefore, they really were recycled. 
2. We walked up stairs, because we did not have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and did not climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. 
3. Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind.  We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes.  Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.  
4. Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house, not a TV in every room.   The TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not extra large size.
5. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we did not have electric machines to do everything for us. 
6. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.   By the way, plastic is indestructible. 
7. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol (gas) just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.  We exercised by working so we did not need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.  Don’t you think it is funny and stupid, that we save sweat by machine, and ask machine to sweat us.
8. We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. 
9. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. 
10. Back then, people took the bus (or tram) and kids rode their cycles to school or walked instead of motorized vehicle that pollutes the air.
11. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. 
12. We did not need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 KM (miles) out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.  (Were there so many pizza joint?). 

Let us really think green and put some action to save the planet Earth.  It is the only one.  Please share this with others, will you?

Learn practical Preksha Meditation 7 days residential camp

प्रेक्षा ध्यान शिबिर 


Date: July 31, 2011 to August 6, 2011.  Venue: Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India

Progress in the direction of Emotional well being, Spiritual development with Preksha meditation's Scientific outlook by attending the camp organized under the direction of highly experienced Preksha expert Prof. Muni Mahendra Kumar.

Some highlights:

• Special discourse on Preksha Meditation philosophy.
• Preksha therapy for emotional well being.
• Get solution for your queries from expert ascetic.
• Language medium in camp - Hindi
• Good residential facility including lodging and food.

For detail please contact:
Mr.  Jeetmal Gugliya.  Phone: +91-96672 80609, +91-15812 22119
E-mail: jainvishvabharati@yahoo.com

Jyotindra Zaveri: Here is a 'Present' for you.

Jyotindra Zaveri: Here is a 'Present' for you.

Here is a 'Present' for you.

The Bank Account of Life.

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with  ` 86,400/-.  

It carries over no balance from day to day.  Every “evening” deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do?  Draw out every Rupee, of course!!!!  Hmmm, so that is what Bill Gates and Ambanis of world are doing? 

Well, you know, each of us has such a “bank”.  Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.  Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to utilize.  It carries over no balance.  It allows no overdraft.  Each day it opens a new account for you.  Each night it resets the remains of the day.

If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours.  There is no ‘undo’ button.  There is no drawing against the “tomorrow.”

You must live in the present on today’s deposits.

Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!

The clock is running.  Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR…. ask a student who failed a grade.

• To realize the value of ONE MONTH…..ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby
• To realize the value of ONE WEEK……ask the editor of a weekly newspaper
• To realize the value of ONE HOUR……ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
• To realize the value of ONE MINUTE…..ask a person who missed the train.
• To realize the value of ONE SECOND….ask a person who just avoided an accident.
• To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND…..ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life". - Charles Darwin.

Treasure every moment that you have!  Do not waste time.  Time IS money.  And remember that time waits for no one.  Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery.  Today is a ‘Gift’.  That’s why it’s called …. the ‘Present’.

"We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch".  -  John F. Kennedy.  It is necessary to identify 'time wasters'.  For example, too much of TV or too much of 'çhat'.  For instance, if you are playing facebook games for a long time, you are wasting time.  Trick is in limiting time on social media sites, computer games, etc.  These are alright, only if used for a limited time. 

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ):  All that is fine, but mind is wandering in past or future;  how to train our mind to remain in present moment?

Answer: ‘स्वास प्रेक्षा’.   Practice ‘Swas Preksha’.  This is one of the practical exercise in the Preksha Meditation system.  This simple exercise of the ‘perception of breathing’ will train your mind to remain in presence.  Because, you see, breath is always a present phenomena, neither yesterday (past) nor tomorrow (future).  Just close your eyes and experience the breathing in and breathing out.  Mind will stop thinking automatically.  Hey, but practice every day regularly.  Get the maximum out of your account that is credited with ` 86,400/-. 

Residential Meditation Camp

Do you want to —

•  Prevent & Cure – Diabetes, Heart Disease, B.P. Disorder, Asthma, Acidity, Gastric Troubles?

•  Become Free from – Anger, Fear, Pessimism, Haughtiness, Laziness, Depression …………….?
•  Develop – Strong Will-power, Optimism, Boldness, Compromising Nature, I.Q.,E.Q,S.Q. …… .?
•  Lead a life full of  – Mental Peace, Tranquility, True Happiness, Cheerfulness, Congenial Relations with Spouse, Children, Parents, Friends .….?

Date: Thursday, 11 November 10 to Thursday, 15 November 10.  

Reach venue on 10 November 10, between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Venue: Terapanth Bhavan, Adhyatma Sadhana Kendra, Near Chhattarpur Mandir, Chhattarpur, Mehrauli, New Delhi, India.

In the auspicious presence of Prof. Muni Mahendra Kumar. B. Sc. (Hons.), Agama-manisi and preksha-pradhypaka.

Training by Eminent Faculty:  Mr. Arun Jetha bhai Zaveri and Mrs. Mayuri Arun Zaveri [from Mumbai].

What is Preksha Meditation (PM)?

Preksha means inner perception. In this technique, one learns to concentrate his mind on the subtle aspects of one’s own consciousness through the practice of preksha and brings about desirable changes via contemplation, colour-visualization and auto-suggestions.

Holistic approach

The true path to better living should not only include proper nutrition, clean air, and physical exercise, but also prevention and elimination of the very roots of psychosomatic diseases – stress, negative thinking and destructive emotions.

Preksha Meditation is a tool that helps relieve and reduce the effects of physical and mental stress and eliminate emotional tensions and disorders by enhancing emotional maturity.

Where did it originate?

PM was practiced by sages and seers centuries ago, and the art was passed on from generation to generation through the Indian tradition of knowledge and wisdom. It was discovered from the ancient wisdom and corroborated with modern scientific theories by Acharya Mahapragya an internationally known Jain Saint, who has co-authored with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam the famous book “The Family And The Nation” .  

How does the technique work?

Medical research has revealed that emotional state of a person is directly connected with the Limbic System and Neuro-endocrine system. Emotional tensions can disrupt the complex and delicate balance of numerous hormones secreted by the different endocrine glands in the body, which ultimately cause various physical and mental diseases.

PM works by gradually leading the practitioner to experience deeper levels of his/her consciousness and remove stress and emotional tensions hidden in the subconscious mind. It enhances emotional maturity and harmonizes the neuro-endocrine secretions which represent the emotions, urges, and feelings, and thereby cure psychosomatic diseases.

Medium of language: English / Hindi

           

Testimonial:

The Preksha Meditation course material was well presented and definitely enlightening. The workshops were very effective. It widened my mental horizons… made me relax and stay mentally alert at the same time.

-Dr. C.D. Vachharajani, M.D., Mumbai

Preksha Meditation has helped me increase my self-confidence, mental stability, and mind concentration. The main achievement is that my anger has reduced drastically.

-Mr. K. Balchandran Menon, Mumbai

I was suffering from depression since last three years in spite of having a well-to-do family – educated children and a loving husband. I often had suicidal thoughts and had planned to end my life many times. After learning and practicing meditation exercises I am out of depression and enjoying my life again. I have laughed again after several years.

-Mrs. Ranjan, Housewife, Mumbai

I had chronic pain and was interested in gaining some control over my health problems when I came to the workshop. After regularly practicing PM for about two weeks the pain has lessened considerably and I feel great. Thank you!

-Mrs. Cher L. Couch,  USA

Limited seats available. Enroll today.

Fees:  Rs.3300/- including all charges of lodging, boarding, training material.  

Cheques / DD payable Delhi, to be drawn in favour of “Jain Swetamber 

Terapanthi Sabha”,  Please deposit in any branch in India, of the Canara Bank, account number 0158101007538.

Facilities: A.C. Rooms, Wholesome Diet- Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

Special instruction: Wear loose white clothes.  Outside eatables and going outside the premises is strictly prohibited.

For registration and queries please contact coordinators:

• Sukh Raj Sethia: 9811099918. Or Vimal Surana: 9810275680 Or Dalam Chand Baid: 9810129735

For more information: Email 

prekshacamp2010@gmail.com  or meditation@jzaveri.com

A healthy outlook.

"Aim of meditation is to reduce the flow of thoughts, and focus the mind on one object (e.g. breath),  once the concentration is attained, the current of thought slows down".

We cannot prevent crises but we can overcome misery.  To experience a crisis is one thing, but to suffer it is different.  Awareness of a problem is one thing but sensitivity to it is quite another.

The best way to reduce cravings is to tell yourself that wealth is not everything; it is only a means to sustain you on the journey of life.  Happiness is a habit, and peace is the effect of cultivating it.  Peace implies a holistic development:  Emotional, mental and physical.

Most people are deluded into earning for the sake of acquisition of more and more wealth, and NOT happiness?  Wealthy people are not necessarily happy people.  You can buy comfort and material things.  But happiness and comfort are totally unrelated.  Acquisition is one thing, happiness is quite another.  How do we calm our wavering mind?   Mind pacifying is a process of continuous removal of distorted views, indulgences, distractions, anger, and other passions.

Practical exercise:  Close your eyes and concentrate on your nostrils. Experience the air going in and coming out.  Just watch the inhalation and exhalation.  No need to hold the breath.  This exercise is called 'perception of breathing' (स्वास प्रेक्षा).

Only those people with an objective view can find solution to problems.  One should think analytically and critically – and with detachment.  Think, that is, from outside a situation.  This me, this is mind, and this is the problem.  I am standing inside the door and the problem is outside.   Then a solution will offer itself.  If thieves are allowed inside the house theft is bound to happen.  If a mind is overwhelmed with problems and cannot free itself from them it will turn too pessimistic to think of a solution.

Life alternates happiness with turmoil.  Sometimes life is good, sometimes the opposite.  Sometimes we are praised and sometimes condemned.  We need strength (fortitude) to cope with whatever is meted out to us. 

Every moment of our life can be blissful.  Instead we get overwhelmed by memories of the past and dreams of the future.  In a meditative state memories and dreams do not surface.  At that time you live in the present and yo realize that the happiness you seek outside is flowing inside you.  Practicing Preksha Mediation system implies consistency – consistent improvement and consistent transformation.

What should we do to achieve peace of mind? 

DO NOTHING.  To do nothing is emptying the mind, and an unfilled mind is a peaceful one.  In an empty mind self-awareness can take place.  This emergence of consciousness is peace of mind.   Internal awaking is manifest in external inactivity.  Peace is not dullness of mind- it is the burning of an internal flame.   Is it possible that water in pot placed on a burning stove will not get hot?  Similarly, is it possible that a mind placed on impure emotions will not get tempered, agitated and disturbed?

Practical exercise:  If you wish to calm your inner agitations, mediate on stilling the tongue.  If you have mastered keeping your tongue motionless you have learned to calm you mind. 

This write-up is based on teachings of Preksha Meditation system.

No Tobacco, NO

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually. Since 1987, the day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance across the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry.


Government income: Areas listed as excisable by many governments, and considering the thinkers' comments:  To protect people – from harming their health by abusing substances such as tobacco and alcohol.  To provide monies needed – for the extra healthcare and other public expenditures which will be needed as a direct or indirect result of excisable activities, such as lung cancer from smoking or road accidents resulting from drunk driving.


Root cause of the problem is stress.  The real solution is to provide better solution release the stress.  Meditation can drain out the tensions, especially mental tension, without any side effects.  Let us observe the 'No Tobacco' day by practicing the exercise of 'complete relaxation with full awareness'. 






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