YJA Convention 2016 07 Los Angeles CA

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

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Faith and Love
HS/COL Charul Chandra
EDUCATION "A little faith takes us to heaven, but complete faith brings heaven to us" is a quote with many connotations. While 'heaven' can be interpreted as accomplishing one's goals or building healthy relationships, the key to making heaven a reality is leading a life with Faith and Love. In this session we'll bring forth various dilemmas, problems, and obstacles that young people face and are often unable to deal with in a positive manner. We'll simulate situations where you'll learn to react with unique principles of both faith and love. Come join this engaging and interactive learning experience! Free Your Mind
HS Mahima Shah
EDUCATION The best kind of attachment is no attachment. All our lives, we are stuck in a relentless cycle of wanting the next big thing - but this cycle is the source of all our unhappiness and dissatisfaction with our current state of being. Once we achieve the mentality of letting go, true freedom and bliss can be felt running through our veins as things that were once mundane suddenly become beautiful. Jainism supports this theory through all of its scriptures and core tenants - join this session to learn how to truly free your mind and have a new outlook on life! From Values to Action Hema Pokharna
SOCIAL IMPACT From Values to Action is a session based in self-reflection, which is central to your leadership as an Agent of Change. By engaging in these reflective exercises we will identify what you stand for, what your values are, and what matters most to you. This process will encourage you to find clarity within and prioritize how and where you choose to invest your time, effort, and energy. Learn to make better choices, communicate more effectively, and connect more deeply with others. Grounded in self-knowledge, your leadership will become more authentic as you grow to become a true Agent of Change. Gender Norms in Jainism
HS/COL/JNE Neelam Savla, Chintav Shah, Kayuri Shah, Shrenik Shah
SOCIAL IMPACT Have you ever felt judged for the way you dress? Do you believe that there should be gender segregation at Jain temples? Do you feel the need to censor yourself on social media? Join us in this interactive session to explore various gender inequalities and stereotypes that exist in our Jain culture. Come with an open mind, a willingness to share, and respect for each other.
JNE
God and Temple: Soul & Body
COL Fulchand Shastri
EDUCATION In this session we'll understand the traditional beliefs and ritualistic practices that arise in the search of God. Learn how we can grow out of ritualistic devotion with the explanation of the Soul and the significance of the Body that houses it. Join this session to learn about Mahavir's message of omniscience and redirect your spiritual journey towards becoming free from wrong belief and delusion.
Heaven and Hell: A Journey Through Space
HS Fulchand Shastri
EDUCATION This session will take on the intriguing concepts in Jain Cosmology. We'll understand how a living being may exist in one of three worlds within the universe and learn how each soul is still bound by the Theory of Karma. Through the circumstances one faces during his journey to these mysterious locations in the Universe, we'll look at the layout of the Heavens and Hells as described in the Jain scriptures. Only with this knowledge can we free ourselves from the vicious cycle of birth and death - and begin a journey to the supreme destination where all liberated souls reside: Moksha. How Are You an Agent of Change: Essay Contest Winners
HS/COL/JNE Sunny Jain, Chandni Shah, Hannah Shah
SOCIAL IMPACT Join this session for a chance to meet the Essay Contest Winners! The authors will read their winning essays, share their thoughts about their essays, and provide the audience with discussion questions. Come to this session prepared to talk about what makes you an Agent of Change! How Has YJA Impacted Me?
HS/COL Siddhee Kasudia, Mahima Shah, Krutak Shah, Divyansh Shah, Puja Savla
SOCIAL IMPACT Ever wonder if you should get more involved with YJA? How has staying close to the YJA community changed your life or helped you? The YJA Impact Panel should provide answers to these questions by bringing in a variety of speakers to describe how YJA has impacted their personal and professional lives throughout the years. After the panel, you'll be free to ask any questions you have or speak individually with the panelists about their experiences with YJA! How Jain Are You: JWOL
HS/COL Sunita Jain
LIFESTYLE We have learned core Jain principles from our families and Jain Centers, and we will use the Jain Way of Life (WOL) model to talk
about ways to adopt these practices into our daily lives. We will look at the range of practices, determine where we are on the AGENTS OF CHANGE scale, and look at options to move forward and upward on this trajectory towards Moksha.