YJA 2008 Reflection by Shardule Shah
-Shardule Shah
Take a few deep breaths
It’s all over now
Yah, I’m talking about YJA 2008
But the memories will last forever
Let me take you back to the entrance
Hershey Kisses and a Chanlo
Friendly greetings by the board
Nervousness and excitement fell upon all
How was it going to be?
Who were we going to meet?
But all was laid to rest by the time Garba rolled around
The energy was sky high and the ice cream just right for the evening
The next few days
Will Tuttle, Gurudev and Pramodabhen Chitrabhanu, and all the other dignitaries presented us with a gift
Knowledge and the thirst for more…their mere presence touched us all
They knew what the youth go through on a daily basis
Speakers and attendees were not so much talker and listener
But rather two active participants in a conversation
Walls were broken
And lessons were taught
It’s sort of hard to tangibly sum up what we all miss
Just the mere presence of 800 unique, yet like-minded individuals in the same area
Something about that feeling
Something that cannot be recaptured
Just smile when you think about the Mela
Just smile when you think about speed dating at JNF
Throw your head back and laugh when you remember what embarrassing things you revealed about yourself at icebreakers
Chuckle a little when you think about how much attention you put into getting ready for each day
Know that all of the people who were there now share a common bond
A bond of friendship that will pass through the tests of Facebook, GTalk, and AIM
A bond of friendship that unites us under one roof (or tent!)
A bond of friendship so tight that even though years may pass until we see each other again, it would be as if a beat was not missed
This is the story of YJA 2008
How do you remember your chapter being written?
Do you want to experience this all over again?
Just go to YJA 2010
Frito Lay’s products
Amit on November 2007Be aware of what we take for granted as being vegetarian. Make sure you read the ingredients!! Porcine Enzymes are enzymes extracted from a pig’s intestine.
Seasoned Products Made Without Porcine EnzymesProducts Made and Distributed in the U.S.
Last Updated August 23rd, 2007
http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgibin/ProdDetEv_Cat_351852_NavRoot_361689_ProdID_564690.htm
http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/dietary_choices.htm
These products DO NOT have Porcine Enzymes but they still might be made with Chicken Stock or other meat flavorings. Please be aware and check the links.
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RUSTLER’S® Beef Jerky
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DIPS FRITOS® Hot Bean Dip - canned
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MangalamShow.com
Amit on November 2007JAINA is very happy to announce “Mangalam” a half hour TV Broadcast every Sunday on TVASIA beginning September 16th 2007. The Broadcast will be at 9:00 AM EST on Dish Network in North America (some local cable networks may have a different time slot) We request all to support this great venture to ensure the future of our Jain heritage and our unity in North America by advertising on the program. For more information contact Dr. Mamta Shah, Chair person of JAINA Media Production Committee, (516) 487-1852 or Mshaha8087@aol.com
On November 11th, we will be featuring a Youth Special and News report on the Multifaith conference in Mexico. Do not miss this exciting episode of Mangalam!
Register Now! Southeast Regional Leadership Summit
The next Leadership will be held on November 17th, 2007 at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The registration fee of $40 includes 3 meals, workshops, and conference materials. To register, please go to http://www.jainleadership.org/register.htm
Over the past three years JAINA’s Long Range Planning Committee, together with other Jain leaders, have developed a vision for the future of Jainism in North America. Dr. Dipak Jain, the Dean of Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, invited Jain leaders from across USA and Canada to a historic first summit to discuss the future of Jainism in North America on April 15-17, 2005 at the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago. Led by Dipak Jain and Prem Jain, Former Senior Vice President of CISCO, the conferences introduced concepts of management and organization that can be applied to improving the performance of our leadership and result in greater involvement of our community in solving common challenges facing us.
The cost will be minimal and includes conference materials, as well as breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea break, and dinner. As there is limited space, please confirm as soon as possible.
The highlights of this conference includes:
- Leadership Training
- Community Concerns and Challenges
- Personal Experiences from Successful Community Members
And workshops such as:
- Universalization of Practices at Jain Centers in USA
- Community Concerns and Challenges
- Youth Issues
- Jain Center Policies
For more information, please contact:
Manoj Jain, Jain Center of Memphis, TN - JAINA LRPC - 901-240-2602
mkjain@aol.com
- Community Concerns and Challenges
- Personal Experiences from Successful Community Members
- Community Concerns and Challenges
- Youth Issues
- Jain Center Policies
mkjain@aol.com
IndiCorps - a tremendous opportunity to help others in need
Amit on September 2007I just completed the Indicorps Fellowship, where I spent a year in India doing grassroots development work. The fellowship challenged me to live simply, to give without expecting anything in return, to love and serve a community as if they were my own, to reflect upon my own life and how to live consciously – all of which were principles that I felt my resonated with my Jain upbringing.
The fellowship experience was life defining - check out the website (www.indicorps.org). Even if its not the right time for you, spread the word for someone else looking for the opportunity to come to India, to do community service, and to contribute to positive change…
Ketki Sheth - ketki@indicorps.com
Please check out this video get a better feel of what we are involved in.
http://www.news.indicorps.org/magazine/content/blogcategory/16/35/
Day 10
Supreme Celibacy – UTTAM BRAHMCHARYA
External View: This means not only refraining from sexual intercourse but also includes all pleasures associated with the sense of touch, e.g. desiring for a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day or using a cushion for a hard surface. Again this dharma is practiced to keep our desires in check. The monks practice this to the highest degree with all their body, speech and mind. The householder refrains from sexual intercourse with anyone
except his or her spouse.
Internal View: Brahmacharya is derived from the words Brahma (Soul) and charya (to dwell). Nischay Brahmacharya means to dwell in your Soul. Only by residing in the Soul you are the master of the Universe. Residing outside your Soul makes you a slave to desires.
Day 9
Amit on September 2007Non-attachment – UTTAM ÄKINCHANYA
External View: This assists us in detaching from external possessions. Historically, ten possessions are listed in scriptures: land, house, silver, gold, wealth, grain, female servants, male servants, garments and utensils. Of course in today’s world, money, investments, car, and clothes are part of our possessions as well. Remaining unattached from these helps control our desires and leads to an influx of punya Karmas.
Internal View: This assists us in being unattached from our internal attachments: false belief, anger, pride, deceit, greed, laughter, liking, disliking, lamentation, fear, disgust, and
sexual desire.
Day 8
Amit on September 2007Renunciation – UTTAM TYÄG
External View: Contrary to popular belief, renouncing worldly possessions leads to a life of contentment and assists in keeping desires in check. Renunciation is done at the highest
level by monks who renounce not only the household but also their clothes. A person’s strength is measured not by the amount of wealth he accumulates but by the amount of wealth he renounces. By this measure the monks and laypeople living
balanced, Non-Possessive lives are the richest.
Internal View: Renouncing the emotions, the root cause of misery, is Nischay Uttam Tyag, which is only possible by contemplating on the true nature of the Soul.
Day 7 - Das Lakshan
Amit on September 2007Penance – UTTAM TAP
External View: This does not only mean fasting but also includes a reduced diet, restriction of certain types of foods, avoiding tasty foods, etc. The purpose of penance is to keep
desires and passions in control. Over-indulgence inevitably leads to misery. Penance leads to an influx of positive Karmas.
Internal View: Meditation prevents the rise of desires and passions in the Soul. In a deep state of meditation the desire to intake food does not arise. The first Tirthankar, Adinath Bhagwan was in such a meditative state for six months, during which he observed Nischay Uttam Tap. Only from the meditative energy from within, he went on for six months with no food.
Day 5 - Das Lakshan
Truth : (Satya)
a) If talking is not required, then do not talk. If it is required, then only use the minimum of words, and all must be absolutely true. Talking disturbs the stillness of the mind. Consider the person who lies and lives in fear of being exposed. To support one lie he has to utter a hundred more. He becomes caught up in a tangled web of lies and is seen as untrustworthy and unreliable. Lying leads to an influx of paap karma.
b) Satya comes from the word sat, which means existence. Existence is a quality of the soul. Recognizing the soul’s true nature as it really exists and taking shelter in the soul is practicing Nischay Satya Dharma.
Only human life is gifted with speech; thus, we must avoid misusing our power of speech. We should remember in our everyday lives to speak truth in its every form and at all times. All good deeds blossom from truth.
I really love the following thoughts on Integrity and our relationship with our words:
Integrity is often thought of as moral uprightness and steadfastness - making the “good” choices, doing the “right thing.” In fact, it is far more than that. It is a home, an anchor, a created and continuing commitment - a way of being and acting that shapes who you are.
In Integrity: The Bottom Line, you will discover that integrity resides in the ability to constitute yourself as your word, to be true to your principles, and ultimately, be true to yourself. Integrity is not constrained by, nor does it reside in, rules, prescriptions, or imposed demands, but rather one’s profound relationship with one’s word.
Being true to that being in the inquiry constantly putting integrity in creates an environment of freedom, power, and joy.
About Jain Diaries
Jain Diaries is a blog by YJA about Peace, Compassion, and having a good time. Written and edited by youth just like you. Enjoy!
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