YJA Convention 2010 07 New Brunswick NJ Ninth

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

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High School / College Sessions
Veganism 101
Over one million animals are slaughtered every hour in the United States due to consumer demand for meat, dairy, and eggs. We'll discuss how veganism benefits animals, the environment, and human health. The session will also go over some frequently asked questions including how to get vegan options at your school and what to eat while dining out! We'll have plenty of free peta2 stickers, too!
Pulin Modi - Please refer to "Animal Rights 101" on page 17 for a full biography.
Where Is Atma in our Jain Mantras?
Each individual who adheres to the Jain tradition has, for the benefit of their Soul purification, a responsibility to know that what she/he is practicing is precise and true. There are a multitude of mantras in Jain practice. How clearly do you understand their meaning and supposed benefit? How accurate are they in representing the precise Jain teaching? From the recitation of the mantras, will you be gaining the maximum benefit of your efforts and moving toward the goal of Atma/Soul liberation? There are popular Jain mantras to which these questions need to be addressed. This session will present an equation that explains the essential factors in the purification procedure, present two popular mantras, apply this questioning, and demonstrate and practice refined versions which can be used as additions to one's current mantra recitation.
Balbhadraji - Dr. Bruce Costain - Please refer to "Jain Jingles" on page 30 for a full biography.
Will Power: Yes You Can!
Quality of life is determined by choices we make, choices which are good vs. pleasant for us. When a choice is made based upon our likings and interests, it is very easy to act and follow it through to its conclusion. However, when we resolve to do something that is good but not pleasant for us, it is difficult to sustain that resolve and see to its conclusion. Power of determination and will is a faculty of our inner instrument, which gives us strength and courage to choose and pursue those resolutions that help us grow. Will power is developed through coordinating our inner instruments and focusing their direction. In this interactive session we will present some practical teachings to develop power of will. By unfolding this power that lies dormant within all of us, we can lead a life which is holistic and successful within and without.
Charu Mehta - Charu Mehta has been a practitioner of yoga and meditation for more than 20 years. She received her training and certification from Himalayan Institute in 1993. Since then, she has been teaching yoga and meditation in NJ & NY. In 1998, Oxford Health Plan and Hackensack Medical Center approached her to join their Alternative Medicine Provider Program as a yoga therapist and she is still actively involved with them. Several insurance companies, government instrumentalities and various youth organizations (YJA, Youth Group of Sanatan Mandir, etc.) have invited her to give lectures/seminars on meditation and stress reduction. She holds a bachelor's degree in life sciences. In 1985, she met Swami Rama at the Himalayan Institute and was inspired to begin her practice in earnest, transforming her approach to living life as a joyful journey. She likes to share her experience and knowledge with others while gaining insights from the people she comes in touch with.
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VYJA CONVENTION 2010 New Brunswick