YJ International Newsletter 2004 Vol 18 No 03

Author(s): Young Jains (UK)
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 11

FURTHERING THE JOURNEY ON THE
PATH TO MOKSHA
and even a cultural evening on the Saturday night. ending with a spontaneous Garba.
Similarly, if we follow the guidance and instruction (Agna) of a True Guru, with full faith and determination, we will progress, if we put all our effort, with mind, speech and body, towards reaching this goal.
This dedication of mind, speech and body, surrendering them to the True Guru, and following his or her guidance, is called Samarpan Bhay. While the True Guru wants nothing from the Seeker, this is essential for the Seeker. With this Samarpan Bhav, we, at once, overcome ego and possessiveness, as we are now dedicating all our actions to the True Guru and their Agna, and thus learning to live selflessly.
During this weekend, we all came much closer together. Bhaishree strongly wanted to meet each and every participant. The process of increasing acquaintance and close observation of such Self- Realised individuals, whether in games or in conversation, or otherwise, also provides much practical insight into the path to Moksha.
Bhaishree explained that a True Guru would give guide Seekers according to each person's spiritual development. Eventually, the Seeker would be guided in meditation. With much effort, under the Agna of the Sat Guru, the Seeker would experience the happiness of Atma, in Self-Realisation.
This brief article can only attempt to convey a fraction of the depth of experience and compassion felt by each participant. Here follow some memorable quotations from those who attended.
Bhaishree's closing message. Bodha, related to the path to Moksha. He explained it in terms of a phrase which we may have often heard: "Sat Dev, Sat Dharma, Sat Guru." The path requires us to have faith in these three. For Jains, the Sat Dev, True God, is the Tirthankar Bhagwan, totally free from attachment (Vitrag), who has taught us the Sat Dharma or True Religion which will take us to Moksha, to ultimate bliss. The final element in this trilogy is Sat Guru, or True Guru. This is a person who is Self-Realised, who has experienced Atma for themselves, is Atmagnani.
"I would love to have prolonged it." [Sheena Gudka, 23, Optometrist)
"It has given me exactly what I wanted, motivation to further my path to Self realisation." [Prashant Punater, 30, Investment Advisor]
"Personally very, very enlightening and answered a lot of my doubts and questions." [Sanjay Shah, 37, Pharmacist]
We must understand the true nature of the Sat Dev, True God, our Tirthankar Bhagwan, which understanding comes through the guidance of a True Guru. The religious message, Sat Dharma, which the Sat Dev has shared, can be understood and practiced through the guidance of a True Guru.
"Personally from this weekend I feel encouraged and inspired ... to persist in following Guru's guidance" [Sarita Sheth, 26, School Teacher]
We must thus seek out a True Guru and the follow their guidance with firm faith and dedication.
"It has reawakened me from the daily grind and reminded me a) how I need to be and b) my innate nature." [Nemish Mehta, 40, businessman)
In life we function with mind, body and speech. We have a sense that this is "my mind, my body and my speech," while in reality our true nature, the Atma is distinct from them all. Identifying with mind, body and speech, we develop a sense of ego and possessiveness discussed earlier, which brings us deeper and deeper into worldly life. If we can remove this sense of ego and possessiveness, of "me and mine," we will move forward very fast on the path to Moksha.
I learnt how PP Bhaishree, Vikrambhai and Sudhaben got to where they are now. All three stories were very interesting. I learnt that we should think not about body, but our soul because the soul will be with us forever, our body is only with us for one life. [Sapna Sanghvi, 15, Student] For further information, please contact Ashik Shah on 020 8950 3397 or ashik@compuserve.com
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