Paryushana has begun. This is a great time for reflection. A good time to think about the Bhavanas.
So what’s a Bhavna? Well…Jainism puts a significant emphasis on the thought process of a human being. A person’s behaviour and his actions are the reflection of his internal thoughts, day in and day out. Our thoughts and actions result in the accumulation of Karma. Thus we should be mindful in our thoughts. Jainism expresses a need to make room for pure thoughts, and to drive out the impure ones. A way to do this would be through reflecting or meditating on the twelve thoughts or Bhavnas.
Samvar Bhavana
This Bhavana reflects the idea that we can stop the accumulation of karmas.
Succeeding with this Bhavana depends on us changing the way we think, react and conduct ourselves.
So you’re walking down the street and someone is running and pushes you out of the way. How do you react? Do you shout at them? Do you run after them? Do you curse at them aloud or in your head? The majority of us would probably react in one of these ways.
This is what we need to change.
We need to try and look at it in a way which will prevent us from reacting in a negative way. We need to be equanimous. Neutral. If it helps, we should try and look at in a way that helps us accept it. For example, it is our karma coming into fruition. Thus by not reacting to it, we block further karma. However, if we react, we’re accumulating more, which will then need to come to fruition and we start all over again.
Succeeding with this Bhavana depends on us changing the way we think, react and conduct ourselves.So you’re walking down the street and someone is running and pushes you out of the way. How do you react? Do you shout at them? Do you run after them? Do you curse at them aloud or in your head? The majority of us would probably react in one of these ways.This is what we need to change.We need to try and look at it in a way which will prevent us from reacting in a negative way. We need to be equanimous. Neutral. If it helps, we should try and look at in a way that helps us accept it. For example, it is our karma coming into fruition. Thus by not reacting to it, we block further karma. However, if we react, we’re accumulating more, which will then need to come to fruition and we start all over again.
Jigna Malde and I read this Bhavna in a book called Bhavna Bodh.
We used this to write the article above
Paryushana has begun. This is a great time for reflection. A good time to think about the Bhavanas.
So what’s a Bhavna? Well…Jainism puts a significant emphasis on the thought process of a human being. A person’s behaviour and his actions are the reflection of his internal thoughts, day in and day out. Our thoughts and actions result in the accumulation of Karma. Thus we should be mindful in our thoughts. Jainism expresses a need to make room for pure thoughts, and to drive out the impure ones. A way to do this would be through reflecting or meditating on the twelve thoughts or Bhavnas.
Samvar Bhavana
This Bhavana reflects the idea that we can stop the accumulation of karmas.
Succeeding with this Bhavana depends on us changing the way we think, react and conduct ourselves.
So you’re walking down the street and someone is running and pushes you out of the way. How do you react? Do you shout at them? Do you run after them? Do you curse them aloud? Do you say’ bad’ things to them in your head? The majority would probably react in one of these ways.
This is what we need to change.
We need to try and look at it in a way which will prevent us from reacting in a negative way. We need to be equanimous. Neutral. If it helps, we should try and look at in a way that helps us accept it. For example, it is our karma coming into fruition. Thus by not reacting to it, we block further karma. However, if we react, we’re accumulating more, which will then need to come to fruition and we start all over again.
The positive here is that we have control. We have a choice and we have the ability to choose the right thing. Right for who? It’s right for your soul because the soul craves being rid of all these karmas, experiences, emotions etc. The soul wants to enjoy it’s true nature. Do you know it’s true nature? YOUR true nature? It is eternal bliss. So why turn it away? It’s not effortless but it is worth it! 🙂
Jigna Malde and I read this Bhavna in a book called Bhavna Bodh.
We used this to write the article above
