________________
BHAVANA (REFLECTIONS) leaves no room for harm or deceit with anybody. If we contemplate on Maitri Bhävanä, our thoughts, words, and actions will not be harsh, and we will not hurt anybody. On the contrary, we will support and protect everybody. Friendship will lead us to be tolerant, forgiving, and caring for one another. Therefore, if we develop a friendship with all living beings, we will avoid bad karma.
Pramod Bhävanä (Contemplation of Appreciation) In this Bhävanä, we admire the success of our friends, spiritual leaders, and the Arihantas. One of the most destructive forces in our lives is jealousy. However, friendship combined with admiration, destroys jealousy. As jealousy subsides, negative impulses are turned into positive ones, and in due time, we will be at peace. By appreciating the virtues of others we develop that virtue.
Karunä Bhävanä (Contemplation of Compassion) Instead of succeeding, many of our friends may be getting into trouble for things that can be avoided and should not be done. Even some of those who are successful may be accumulating vices such as greed and ego. They are not on the right path. They may be weak, helpless, and in distress. At a time like this, we should contemplate on the Karunä Bhävanä and show compassion for them instead of disgust or hate. We should show them the right path with patience, tolerance, and forgiveness and offer them needed support. This way we can avoid accumulating bad karma for us as well as for them.
Mädhyastha Bhävanä (Contemplation of Neutrality) Life appears to be nothing but involvement. Sometimes the situation works out favorably and sometimes it does not. So instead of being disappointed, angry, or more involved, we should contemplate on Mädhyastha Bhävanä, which leads to the feeling that "I did my best to resolve the situation." This leads our mind to decide that if someone does not want to understand, then leave that person alone without getting further involved. We should simply hope that one of these days, that person may understand things and change. By observing Mädhyastha Bhävanä, we remain in equanimity, instead of provoking turmoil in our mind. When our mind stays neutral and uninvolved, then karma stays away.
In short, we can avoid the influx of bad karmas and live peacefully in this worldly life by developing friendships with all living beings, admiring their success, holding their hands when they are in distress, and leaving them alone at the times when they do not understand what is right or wrong. So until it becomes the natural way of life to observe the above Bhävanäs, one should contemplate on them as many times as needed. If there is a goal, then there is an achievement!
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I
121
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
