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Jainism in a Global Perspective
it's corresponding downward cycles, with the sharp decline in morals, ethics, craving for material things and success, and increased violence and cruelty in the world. We are in the 5th downward cycle right now. So what is a lay person to do? How and where do we begin our development. And what aspects of our daily life give us the opportunity for self-transformation.
We begin where we are. In our homes or work place, with our joys and sorrows. The one important principle is to be always remembered that one's Being 'conscious of, also means alertness, attentiveness, vigilance, carefulness, noticing. These words are used in many spiritual teachings. In the Jaina ancient scriptures, Mahăvira again and again reminded ascetics and other followers not to forget to be alert and attentive as they go about their daily tasks.
-- We do not act but react mostly in our lives. Again, this reminder is found in many esoteric teachings but it is particularly emphasized in the Jaina sacred Sūtras. Mahāvira stressed the importance of conscious attention to one's thoughts, speech and action, because he knew that man is not conscious of his own thoughts, words and his many activities. Conscious attention as a spiritual practice, was required on daily basis for monks, nuns and lay followers.
Because we so easily fall into mechanical behaviour and mechanical habits, which do not require attentiveness, we re-enforce the same desires, cravings and old conditionings in body, mind, thinking and emotions. Anger, pride, greed, envy repeat themselves through our personality quite mechanically. When 'conscious awareness' is absent from the five senses, one is not mindful of one's speech, thinking, feelings or actions. When passions in the form of pride, greed, anger and deceit become active, one is unable to stop them and the person becomes the pride, the greed the anger and the deceit. And accordingly, karmic bondage is formed. To stop the our own karma we should become 'conscious of our speech, thinking and actions.
Each day can become a challenge, in spiritual practice, for a lay person, if he or she understands the importance of this practice. Then everything that happens, from morning until night, can be viewed as
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