Book Title: Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior
Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California
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The Impact of Jainism and the Jain Center in My Life
Debi Grand
I am a second generation American of European descent who was christened a Unitarian as an infant. I have been exposed to many religions over the years, but I never felt I had found my spiritual place in the world. I have also been a vegetarian for many years and although always an animal lover, in the last decade or so, I had been realizing the sacredness of all life on a much deeper level.
After September 11, 2001, I began to feel a great urgency to get solidly on a spiritual path and began an ardent search. I found the Jain Center of Southern California in the fall of 2002 and began attending the Jain Study Group for adults in January 2003. I became a lifetime member of the Jain Center in June 2006.
It is very difficult to condense the impact Jainism has made in my life in a few words. The more I study, learn and experience, the more I realize what a miracle it is that I am here and a part of the Jain Center. It has changed my life in the way I look at myself, my experiences and the world, and has given me an inner peace I never could have imagined. I am on an everyday, continuous spiritual journey. Looking at the world through "Jain eyes," I can accept and deal with the challenges and blessings in life so much more effectively and with so much greater awareness.
A dynamic example of the magnitude in which Jainism has impacted my life occurred two years ago. I was diagnosed with possible malignant ovarian cancer and had to undergo a complete hysterectomy. Throughout the whole ordeal, my friends and relatives were so impressed with my "positive attitude" and "bravery" in facing this challenge. The reason was, quite simply, my faith in Jainism. With the exception of a very few and extremely brief moments, I had no fear. I accepted my karma fully and peacefully and was ready to meet this head on. The tumor turned out to be benign and my body cancer-free, but the higher lesson was not lost on me. I credit my faith in bringing me through it and keeping me strong.
Because of my writing background and command of my mother tongue, the English language, I was bestowed the privilege of proof-reading and editing some of the writings in this souvenir book. I am honored to have had a part in this very exciting and historic occasion of Pratishtha. I have enjoyed reading and learning from each and every article I have edited as I have written from my heart, I am very aware that so my fellow writers have also written from theirs. The entire experience has deepened my connection with my spiritual community and my faith.
I am grateful my soul has led me to the Jain Center. Every time I come here, the feeling! get within my whole being is, "I am home!"
Debi Grand is a student in the adult Jain Study Group at the Jain Center of Southern California.
The Derasar has a nice smell of chandan. I feel calm when I enter the Derasar.
Priya Kamdar, 8
