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Where to go on pilgrimage?
Geographically, whether the shrine is in an aquatic me is in an aq environment, a desert, deep in the forest, subterranean cave or on a mountain range, one encounters some formidable and prohibitive obstacles - physical and psycho-spiritual. To access the shrine the seeker has to summon unwavering determination and unflinching will.
The naturalness of the surroundings calls the soul to revert to the original pristine state of consciousness so as to comprehend the language of Mother Nature the source of wisdom. Hippocrates says, "All knowledge, science and arts are derivative of nature." Our aloofness from nature generates insecure feelings and fear in us. We are solitary among the myriads of universal benevolent companions on all sides and everywhere. The stone, the flower, the bird and the beast are lovingly caressing us as we insensitively trudge along life's path.
In the ashrams the devotees have to perform their manual tasks such as washing clothes, cleaning the place, fetching water and firewood, etc. Self-reliance is thus inculcated, and also one learns the sanctity of those daily unattractive tasks normally despised and approached with contempt. A reverent attitude towards the labourers and servants is a valuable lesson thus taught. Only minimum necessities for sustaining physical life are available at these centres; greed, which is the obnoxious weed choking the world's spiritual maturing, must be rooted out at all costs. While journeying through life, clutteredness has to be avoided. Simplicity eases the travel. Plato claims, "Simplicity is beauty, and beauty is simplicity." Artificial abundance has made us lose the sense of direction. Are we the mansion or the soul?
Psychologically, the emotional and mental atmosphere of the shrine is bubbling with the devotional faith and feelings of the pilgrims, pure vibrations of the mantras, holy prayers and songs are regularly chanted and sung coupled with ennobling thoughts due to the study of the scriptures and great philosophies conducted by the gurus and the disciples. These offer and advance the best and most effective formula for psychotherapy. Victims of depression usually experience elevation and are revitalised.
However, the holiness of these sacred spiritual homes is due to the meditation and contemplation routinely engaged in by the preceptors, initiates, disciples and visiting pilgrims, supplemented by the invisible devas ever present in the inner environment of such places. These angels help to conserve and distribute the spiritual energy present, and also magnetise the sacred statues with the divine power and virtues.
Jain Education International 2010_03
How to prepare for the pilgrimage?
Physical purity
Regular cleaning of the body, exercises and fasting pure natural diet are very useful for developing a body that can endure the
LIVING IS A GREAT PILGRIMAGE
Circumstances gruelling and energy-depleting trip. permitting, if you are to go by air, part of the journey could be by water and land. This will make you aware of the various sufferings and needs of other people, and also provide you with the opportunity of sharing your blessings with them directly.
"In nature
Psychological purity
Develop goodwill feelings towards all; pray for the well being of all in nature. Fill your mind with hope-generating thoughts. Do not anticipate miracles since they are a great detractor and may also trigger doubt and suspicion.
Spiritual enrichment
The daily consistent meditation and contemplation should be centred on plunging into the universal dimension of cosmic awareness - bliss and potent dynamism.
all beings
Pilgrimage always and everywhere Many a blunder down the ages has humanity
are pilgrims." committed but the most desperate and
crippling one is the confining of sacredness and divinity only to certain specific places, objects, aspects and beings - thus arbitrarily cutting others from the holy birthright. Politically, commercially and technologically our evolution has progressed with leaps and bounds almost riotously. This astronomical development now has to be paralleled by spiritual awakening in all. The sacredness of every being has to be affirmed and encouraged. In religious circles for instance, the devastating hostility between different groups, only triggered by a 'holier than you' attitude, has spilled a lot of blood.
Carry and present these three gifts to the ashram. The spiritual soil there will enhance their growth infinitely on one condition that is: henceforth you will return to the outer world with a strong resolution of serving all selflessly, thus making their karma tolerable.
See, hear, smell, taste and feel the love/compassion force universally existing at home, working place, market, everywhere and at all times. By and by a mysterious, hitherto unsuspected, effulgent light will illumine your consciousness, turning on the spiritual sense within you that in turn will switch on the divinity and sacredness in others.
YOU ARE THE PILGRIM AND THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS THE HOLIEST PILGRIMAGE CENTRE.
Reuben Thuku lives in Nakuru, Kenya and is a lecturer for the Theosophical Society in Kenya. He has travelled widely to promote spiritual understanding and tolerance.
December 2002 February 2003 Jain Spirit
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