Jain Digest 1999 04

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 25

Continued from page 17
In 1992, Dinesh Jain became the President. Balbhadraji joined as Pathashala teacher. Society decided to add Ghabara to existing building.
In 1993, elected first Woman President. Under the leadership of Bhadraben Kothari, Murti Sthapna Mahotsav was observed in new Ghabara. Jaina Regional office was established at Toronto. 15 gurus, pandits, scholars visited the Society.
In 1994 and 1995, after the constitution change, we have two year term for the President, Gyanchand Jain was elected President for two years During that gabhara was completed. Pratikraman was
FOR OUR HEALTH
The notion that emotions are tied to health is not a new one. For centuries, doctors used to believe that love and passion played a role in causing disease and that by treating the spirit you can treat illness. While many of these antiquated ideas are not used in modern medicine, recent developments in the understanding of cellular function have shown that molecules within the body transmit signals between the nervous and immune system. This "microscopic communication" suggests that our general feeling of well-being may be very important in determining our physical health.
While often depending on our physical health, our emotional health is also maintained through a variety of influences such as our ability to deal with the daily stressors in our lives as well as our social support system. Surprisingly, these factors can often play as much or more of a role in our health than we may believe. A 1997 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that a lack of diverse social contacts was actually a stronger risk factor for colds than smoking or low Vitamin C intake. Apparently, social support somehow boosts immune function. A convincing body of evidence also suggests that chronic anger, anxiety, loneliness, and depression can cause premature heart disease and death.
On a daily basis, stress factors such as jobs, traffic jams, illness, or death can trigger the secretion of two different hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, which are key in mediating our physical symptoms to stress. Normally, this secretion is switched off once the stress is over but if the internal regulatory mechanism malfunctions because of constant stimulation, chronic hormone release can cause
Cover Captions
initiated for the youth. Other activities continued as usual.
In 1996-97 Saubhagya Kamesara took the chair. We started planning for 9th bi-annual Jaina Convention. It was a great success and it got Society more than $100,000. Renovations at Jain Centre was done and Murthi Sthapna Mahotsav was observed.
In 1998-99, grand celebrations were taken to celebrate 25th anniversary of Society under the leadership of Ashok Shah. Kumarpal Maharaj, 101 deepak arti was performed for the first time at the centre. From 21-23 May 1999, 25th anniversary of the Jain Society was celebrated. Lot of enthusiasm was there and also participants were happy to see the progress of the Society.
Emotions and Health
by Dr. Dilip Shah, Chicago, Illinois high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and infection. Women with depression tend to have the highest cortisol levels and osteoporosis.
Over the past decade, the idea that there is a link between cancer and emotions has been further explored. In a 1988 investigation, Stanford University researchers found that women with metastatic breast cancer tended to live an average of 18 months longer if they participated in a support group to talk about their cancer versus women without this network. This disparity is often accounted for by a 20-30% weakening of the immune system in lonely and depressed patients. Those patients that had the support network tended to have natural defense systems that were more active. Emotional support also probably helped by encouraging patients to take their medicines more regularly, to eat properly, to remain active, and to live a better quality of life.
When experts recommend that people reduce stress in their lives, it does not necessarily mean that you have to leave the city or the country, quit your job, or make any dramatic life changes. You may simply need to exercise more, expand your social circle, and put daily stressors- such as traffic jams- in perspective.
If you have any questions, please send them to the following address:
Dr. Dilip Shah
1508 Midwest Club
Oak Brook, IL 60523 dilipshahmd@yahoo.com
Photos 1 & 2: The Jain Center of Greater St. Louis celebrates Pratistha Mahotsav May 29-30, 1999. Photos 3 & 4: Toronto Jain Society celebrates 25th Anniversary May 21-23.
Photo 5: JAINA at UN: Dilip V. Shah (JAINA Secretary), Mahendra Pandya (First Vice President), Kofi Asomani (Director of UNHCR at UN Headquarters), Dhiraj Shah (JAINA President), Robyn Groves (Senior External Relations Officer of UNHCR), Kirit Kapadia (JAINA Trustee). See article on page 7.
Photos 6 & 7: Greater Baltimore Hindu-Jain Temple Pratishtha celebration, May 9.
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1999/23