Day 4
Amit on September 2007
“This special eight-day festival is not for outward show; it is a time for introspection. It is a time to scrutinize ourselves within. It is a happy holiday, celebrated with various events, elective fasting, and introspective meditation.”
-Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu
With this theme for the fourth day of Paryushan, I took the time to look inside not at my actions or words, but my thoughts. In past year how have I sinned through my thoughts? How have I betrayed others through a simple thought? Why didn’t I act on these thoughts or say them? Sometimes I didn’t out of shame and sometimes I didn’t because I knew it was wrong.
We’re not perfect in our thought process. We can easily stray from an enlightened view to an emotional, skewed version. This year I challenge everyone, MYSELF ESPECIALLY, to take a deep breath when they receive some news that warrants a negative emotional response. Being mindful and taking a few seconds to collect ourselves will allow us to keep our thoughts in line so we can ask the right questions and avoid our sins through our thoughts.
One thing that we also must realize, is that we can also initiate negative thoughts in others with the things we carelessly say. We have to make sure that we are conscious of the things we say to others because most of don’t think before we say things. Well, I should say sometimes I don’t think before I say things.
Ok kids, enough of the lecture. 4 days left.
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!
Well said amit,
When was the last time you said something without thinking? When was the last time you withheld communication from someone about something they needed to know? When was the last time you weren’t honest with yourself or someone?
These, among others, have been questions that have been bouncing around in my mind the past few weeks. One thing that’s really provided much in watching myself is keeping a journal. Maybe not every night, but as often as I can, I write down all the stuff that’s in my head - to game plan or declare a commitment to myself or even simply to vent….
It’s only until we can exhaust our exhaust pipes, that space can be created to create something new - it’s really important to have generosity for ourselves - especially if we’re over-achievers, lol
. For only when we have love for ourselves, can we have love for others.
If you’d like, try writing for about 15 mins a day, it’s incredible what a difference it makes!
Good luck with the rest of Paryushan, you’re doing great!
-parth
(can you show me how I can create a thread?)
I feel the same way…I don’t even need to write it down, because I can concentrate at least twice a week to release any frustration I have….whether its work or school…I can understand the need.
Bonding with people that may frustrate you, or looking deeply into ideas, concepts, or ways of life that may bother you eases that negative emotion. Using our concept of multiplicity of viewpoints allows for one (me) to realize that there is so many ways to live, so many tough decisions to make…even one particular individual that frustrates me the most based on his decision-making…I’ve given him/her the chance to really find out more about him, the sooner the possible.
More than anything, if we know more about our capabilities by performing self-introspection, we can realize how we can understand what others are capable of today. The sense of relaxation and fully thinking through a process without immediate negative emotion is the ultimate goal of parushan. Today, on the final day, I hope to attain that position.
Feel free to share your thoughts, as many of us perform the ultimate self-introspection…self-review…and reconciliation with our thoughts, words, and actions of this past year, and life.
Jai Jinendra and eventual Micchammi Dukkhadam.