BHAVANAS (REFLECTIONS): Pathway to Wisdom and Inner Peace

by JAINA Members, Sanjay Bhandari, Mahendra Khandhar

Jain religion has put a heavier emphasis on our thought process because it is closely linked to how we act. It says that higher the quality of thoughts, better the behavior; lower the quality, worse the behavior and greater the suffering.Sages, philosophers and writers have also emphasized the importance of thoughts. William James, father of American philosophy said, “A man is what he thinks about all day long”. Eckhart Tolle, author of New York Times bestseller book “The Power of Now,” states that on a typical day, human mind encounters more than 60,000 thoughts, and 95 % of these thoughts are compulsive in nature which are repeated again and again and this is how people end up saying “I have lost my mind!” The author further “Learn to quiet your mind with wisdom of the sages and become an observer to find your true authentic self”. Dr. Wayne Dyer had created a life changing program titled “Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life” based on practical teaching by Tao Te Ching. Bhagwan Mahavir gave us 12 Bhavanas or Reflections to help us drive out the evil thoughts, and invite the pure ones. These bhavanas explain us the reality of our existence. In addition, Jain religion provides us with 4 other bhavanas that are action oriented. Whereas the 12 contemplative bhavanas explain the reality of our existence, these four bhavanas guide us about the virtues we need to develop. They are more action oriented and can be instrumental in improving our behavior and relationship with others.In this book we bring you articles on all the sixteen Bhavans, originally published in the Jain Digest magazine during 2018. We hope you find these articles helpful in your spiritual journey.

48 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2019