Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

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5. Be Your Own Severest Critic:
Don't wait for others to point out your faults; find and eliminate them yourself before others have a chance. If we would judge ourselves we would not be judged. Some people refuse to judge themselves. They pass over their faults as if they didn't exist. God and others know they exist. When we do this we are deceiving no one but ourselves. The best way to avoid criticism is to be quick to see and correct our own faults. Be honest with yourself. Rise up, condemn and expel from your life those defects that need to be eliminated. Be your own severest critic. To avoid criticism is not the main objective for judging ourselves; self-improvement is the object.
Put these five rules into practice. You'll be surprised at the rewards they'll bring.
Renuka Mehta works and lives in Raleigh.
CONGRATS JAIN SOCIETY!
by Sunjay and Neena Shah
On the auspicious 20th anniversary of the Society, Neena and I would like to offer our sincere appreciation for the outstanding work done on behalf of the Jain community of North Carolina. The Jain Society has played an important role in my life since childhood. I fondly remember the family get-togethers, Jain camps at Umstead Park, and religious discussions. More than learning slokas and rituals, the Jain Society impressed me with its noble philosophical purpose. Probing discussions that addressed the issues of modern life demonstrated to me the living, practical benefit of Jain teachings. When I faced the decision of whether to conduct cardiac lifesaving exercises on dogs, the philosophical grounding I received in Jain Society gave me the strength to say no. One of the most inspiring moments of my life was meditating at the Jain camp under the guidance of Acharya Shri Sushil Muni. Seeing that a man can radiate such spiritual energy left an indelible impression on the mind of a child. No other institution in society can provide the religious basis, ethical grounding, and socialization necessary for a successful adult life.
The Society's beneficial influence extends far beyond our beloved RTP. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my wife, Neena, had fond memories of the NC Jain Society long before she met me. While at med school in Syracuse, New York, she had learned of Pravin Uncle's teachings and the society's work through her roommate Jina. My sister-in-law in Long Island found a perfect English translation on the Jain web site, which she brought for our celebration of Pajushan. The small group of friends which met twenty years ago in RTP have created waves of positive energy which continue to reverberate in the lives of Jains throughout the world. Again, congratulations for a job splendidly done and best wishes for a glorious future.
Sunjay and Neena are both medical doctors, living in Charlotte.
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