Jain Spirit 2004 03 No 18

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 35

Photo: Manohar Ganghan
The good life
help us to feel better about the world. Our family and friends are a support network through the good times and the hard times, and their importance to our wellbeing cannot be understated. If we lock ourselves away from the people who care about us then we forget the meaning of words like trust, love and intimacy. The world then becomes a very lonely place. Instead of isolating ourselves, we should cherish the relationships we have built and make time to enjoy them, even if it is only half an hour at lunch. I am convinced that if you consider the moments you have recently enjoyed, many will revolve around socialising with friends and family. The more time we devote to our friends and family and to the people we love, the happier we will be.
Religious faith and meditation is another of the sources associated with happiness whether through prayer or yoga, or simply taking a moment or two to reflect upon things. Prayer is a form of meditation where we can achieve tranquillity inside ourselves away from the
Photo: Jayesh Gudka
The meaningful life
rush of life. Whether we meditate through prayer or by other methods, such as taking a short walk in the serenity of an early morning, we should use this time to cleanse ourselves spiritually and energise the mind. Even taking some time to unwind and listen to music can be inspirational and soothing to the soul. Regular meditation is proven to help exercise the part of the brain that produces happy feelings and it also keeps our body and mind relaxed and immune from stress or worry. If our state of mind is uncluttered and at peace, then similarly our sense of wellbeing will be more harmonious. Modern science is proving that the age-old wisdom of traditions like Jainism provide important keys to lasting happiness.
We must also endeavour to always be charitable and never turn a blind eye to helping other people. Not only does this create happiness for ourselves, but it creates happiness for the wider community. Every good deed has a positive repercussion and creates a better world for
LIFESTYLE 33
us to live in. Though it may be as small as throwing away someone else's litter, or working voluntarily in a soup kitchen, any good thoughts we have should always be put into action. It is not difficult to do at least one good deed each day, and this should be the aim for all of us. Through our willingness to give, we set a good example to others and help create an enormous sense of happiness.
Dr. Nick Baylis, a psychologist at Cambridge University spoke of happiness as something that "is very much worth having. If someone is happy they are more approachable and also healthier. They live longer and are more productive at work." The benefits of happiness are tenfold, and it is in our interests to follow these simple guidelines and ensure that we live our lives in the best possible manner. To be happy is a very special feeling and something we should all aim towards creating.
Veni Harania is a leading Pharmacist, and Pritesh is an English graduate from Warwick University.