YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 83

Stress Management: The Jain Way
Gurudev Chitrabonuji
tress is the inevitable result of the 21st century. And
to avoid it, what better way than to practice the timeless teachings of the Jinas! The session is aimed to throw light on - easy to learn and simple to practice - mind, body and soul relaxation techniques viz. kayotsarg, pranayam, prekshadhyan, vipassana to name a few. Chitrabhanuji and Pramodaben have been well versed with these techniques and are happy to share the same with the youth.
Adults and young all have often experienced stress. Stress is like a two sided coin. It has the positive and the negative side to it which affects one's life on physical, psychological and emotional front. It becomes very important for the today's youth to be able to manage it right from the early stage, so that one can win over it and lead a desirable happy, successful life.
will power and control the autonomic nervous system. Prekshadhyan is a process of awakening one's own reasoning mind (viveka) and thereby control one's passions and emotions. It consists of: Regulation and harmonizing (a) respiratory and other physiological functions, (b) nervous system, (c) endocrine (ductless glands) system and (d) subtle inherent vibrations which produce passions Vipassana means to see things as they really are. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering because of unmanaged passions or frees oneself by letting go (the process of puttgala. Put - To fill and Gala – to melt) from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, selfcontrol and peace.
Effective stress management techniques outlined as under can be practiced in routine life to handle stress.
Kayotsarg is a technique of meditating on the self, in silence, with concentration and with peace of mind to make the body relaxed and composed. Pranayam is extension, expansion and control of energy - breath. By controlling the breath, one can indirectly influence the mind, improve
Other practical techniques shared during the session would enable the participants to grasp them, practice them and be stress free in times to come. I
notes:
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