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Digest
attending various sessions of my interest contributed or buy something. Overall, handling these situations with to my growth as a Jain because I learned a lot of new what I have learned throughout the years has worked out information from people that felt the same way I did or well. had the same interest.
Jainism is becoming more widely known across North Staying within a tight Jain community has given me America. I see many non-Jains coming to visit the Jain chances to grow with everyone else and reach out to other temple. I remember once sitting in my Pathshala class people. Growing up as a Jain in North America really is not with six other Caucasian high schoolers, because they as different as it may seem. Same opportunities available wanted to educate themselves more about this religion. here, that are offered elsewhere, except sometimes I just This way we were able to discuss the different and have to take extra step to reach out for them. Often times similar religious beliefs which certainly resulted in an I do run into complicated situations when it comes to not interesting conversation. I learned so much more, and it falling under peer pressure or trying to make sure your also helped me practice anekantvad even more by trying beliefs are not being influenced by the variety of beliefs to understand their take on certain religious issues. I am surrounding me. For example, all the different types of truly grateful to be exposed to everything because I know foods available here can actually pose a challenge. The for a fact that it has helped me grow and learn more about way they are made, or what they are made of is something myself. From all the experiences I went through which I have to be cautious about. It is not as easy as it would be included taking part in Jain events, being questioned by if I was living in India staring at a menu where there is a my peers, or just attending conventions, I feel much more whole section full of entrees with "Jain" written directly knowledgeable and confident to be able to explain the in front of it. Going to pathshala and being an active fundamentals of my religion to anyone who may ask. All member of the Jain society here has made me realize that these experiences have really shaped me the person I am food may be known as Jain but behind the scenes is what today and I am grateful for it. Just like any other place, really matters. Some restaurants use the same oil to fry North America provides Jains with many opportunities, things which includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian. which I try to take advantage of. The closely knit Jain So even though you may be told that the food is Jain, it community here is truly committed to helping every Jain really may not be. So being aware of those hidden issues is learn and grow which I am glad to be part of. something I learned to be very careful about when I order
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The Tomos Atleys - Nonstealine Once you realize that the source of all solutions that you seek outside yourself are always
present within you Asteya naturally hoppens
Unlike the other engaged learnings, this one is particularly special because I have recognized the importance of it and plan to follow it throughout my life. Implementing asteya in my life has taught me to not be consumed the external factors that are occurring around me but to simply experience the moment without stealing the beauty or pain from it. This has been especially hard to do in difficult situations. For example, I have been applying for internships this entire semester and did not receive a job offer. Since this was my main priority this semester, it was very frustrating to know the countless hours spent on job applications were a waste of my time.
Luckily, in the middle of this denial process I began to practice asteya and did not allow myself to steal the emotion of frustration nor allow myself to feel that I deserved some type of reward for the hours I spent looking for a job.. At first, it was hard to not allow myself to be frustrated. I had to physically sit myself down and take deep breaths to remind myself that the emotion of frustration was not mine to take. Although I did not get a job offer, instead of wasting my energy on frustration I used my energy to reflect and ask myself; are the fruits of karma simply trying to tell me, I had to do something else?. The answer came to me one day, and I am now moving to China this summer to study Mandarin. In all, if I was not practicing asteya, during my job search process, I would have probably allowed myself to continue to waste my energy on frustration, would not have achieved the clarity, acceptance, and right mindset that made me realize; what I really wanted to do this summer.
