YJA Convention 2018 07 Chicago IL

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

Page 31

THIRD PLACE
A Latina girl, her mother and her grandmother were sitting on their porch right outside their red door, talking about the grandmother's shift to Miami and their struggles connecting to their Venezuelan culture, that very culture connecting the multigenerational trio together. This moment, from one of my favorite shows, Jane the Virgin, is the textbook definition of connecting with your roots.
In fact, in the "melting pot of cultures" that is the United States, a painting that we work hard to make more colorful - wearing our salwar kameez at Diwali or building a different-cuisine restaurant every block is a way we often think as connecting to our roots.
As a Jain, I believe that connecting to our roots is deeper - it comes from our way or thinking, our way of accepting ourselves and the world around us - the customs we have are simply tools to help us get there. I believe being connected to my roots is nothing outwardly visible, but more in understanding a larger context of situations I might be part of and being able to be in this frame of mind before I react, and not the other way around the Jain way of thinking.
The way we can do this as we progress through life is by understanding what progress means. Progress is not just upward movement. It consists of downfalls and unforeseen circumstances. And in these times, connecting to our roots means understanding that whatever circumstance we find ourselves in can't be the worst. In fact, in my college career, I have failed so many times that now, instead of focusing on the low exam score, I've started to focus on how quick I can get out of the negative thought cycle stemming from the low exam score. Likewise, progress is made up of high moments, where you feel like you're soaring. And in these times, understanding that there's always room for improvement is key.
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One word that can sum up the Jain way of thinking is empathy. Empathy is something that can be learnt, and is easier to incorporate than we think - just trying to visually picture yourself in someone else's shoes - anekaantvaad - as often as you can is a good start. Connecting to Jain roots is the same thing is connecting to our true self, wired to care for more than ourselves and react accordingly, is transpired through role models like Tirthankaras - and it can be done by anyone.
Connecting to our Jain roots is not something glamorous, rather it is done through small actions - remembering to empathize by envisioning ourselves in others' shoes. It makes progressing in life easier - the bad moments become less bad and the good moments still hopeful for more. It's wearing that salwaar kameez for Diwali and understanding our small place in the large painting. And it's something that anyone can do, from Jane's way of thinking - connecting to her Venezuelan roots by hearing of her grandmother's struggles to the Jain way of thinking, empathizing before reacting.
Sheily Shah Novi, MI
2018 YJA CONVENTION | CHICAGO, IL 31