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THE DYNAMICS OF MEDITATION
Jain is derived from the word “jina," a person who conquers his inner enemies and brings out his highest qualities. According to Jain philosophy, Adinath was the founder of Jain Dharma. Jain Dharma is based upon the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara or prophet of Jain Dharma, who was born in 598 B.C. Jain Dharma rests on four main principles: 1. Non-violence, ahimsa- in its broadest sense, including
non-violence not only in actions but also in speech and
thought. 2. Relativity in thinking, anekantwad the understanding
that there is no one truth, but rather that truth has many aspects which are represented by different
standpoints. 3. Non-acquisition, aparigraba— the principle of
simplicity limiting possessions and requirements, including avoiding the possessive attachment of other
people as well as material goods. 4. The law of deeds or actions, karma, which states that
we are all responsible for our own past words, thoughts and deeds and that we each may shape our own futures with positive thought and action.
The Organization of This Book
The first five chapters of this book are extemporaneous talks given by Gurudev at the Jain Meditation International Center in New York on the fundamentals of the dynamics of meditation. This is a five-week course which has been successfully given to many students to introduce them to the basic practice of
