Adjust Everywhere

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Adjust Everywhere" by Dada Bhagwan, based on the provided pages:

Core Message:

The central and overarching message of "Adjust Everywhere" is that the ability to "adjust" in every situation and with every person is the most crucial skill for a peaceful and fulfilling life, ultimately leading towards spiritual liberation. Dada Bhagwan emphasizes that understanding and practicing "adjustment" is more important than knowing anything else.

Key Concepts and Principles:

• The Importance of Adjustment: The book stresses that life is inherently about adjustments. From birth to death, and in all aspects of life – relationships, work, and even basic needs – adjustment is inevitable. Resisting it leads to conflict and suffering, while embracing it brings peace and harmony.
• "Adjust Everywhere" as a Universal Solution: This phrase is presented as a master key to navigating the complexities of the world. It's a practical philosophy for dealing with the diverse and often conflicting natures of people and circumstances in the current era (Kalyug).
• The Meaning of "Adjust": To adjust means to be flexible, to adapt to others, and to find convenience even in inconvenience. It's about understanding the other person's perspective ("vyu point") and not imposing one's own.
• The "Akram Marg" (Path of Non-Sequence): Dada Bhagwan's teachings are rooted in the "Akram Marg," a direct and effortless path to self-realization. "Adjustment" is a key practice within this path, allowing one to bypass the usual stages of spiritual development.
• Dealing with Disagreement: When disagreements arise, the principle is to adjust to the other person, especially if they are being "disadjusted." This doesn't mean compromising one's principles but rather understanding their viewpoint and finding a way to coexist.
• The Role of the Wife/Spouse: Wives are described as the "counter-weight" of men, essential for stability. While relationships involve differences in "revolutions" (thought processes), the ability to apply "counter-pulley" (adjust) is vital for maintaining harmony.
• Understanding Nature and Differences: The world is likened to a garden where various flowers (people) have different colors, scents, and even thorns (natures). True understanding involves recognizing and appreciating these differences rather than trying to change them or get upset by them.
• The Science of Adjustment: Dada Bhagwan presents adjustment as a science, not just a social nicety. It's about understanding the underlying principles of human interaction and the nature of karma.
• Self-Correction and Humility: When someone points out a flaw, the immediate response should be to acknowledge it ("You are correct") and adjust. This prevents conflict and maintains peace.
• Practical Application: The book provides numerous examples of how to apply the principle of adjustment in everyday situations:
  • With spouses: accepting their choices for meals, understanding their moods.
  • With family members: adjusting to different natures and habits.
  • With strangers: adjusting to thieves, critics, and even those who hold negative views.
  • With challenging situations: finding convenience in inconvenience.
• "Dada Bhagwan" - The Manifested Divine: The text introduces Dada Bhagwan (Shri Ambalal M. Patel) as a fully realized soul who attained self-realization spontaneously and then dedicated his life to helping others attain it through the "Akram Marg." He emphasized that he was not the body but a medium for the divine presence of "Dada Bhagwan."
• Publisher and Legacy: The Dada Bhagwan Foundation disseminates these teachings. The book itself is a testament to Dada Bhagwan's practical approach to spirituality, aiming to reduce obstacles and guide people towards both worldly peace and spiritual liberation.

Key Phrases and Their Significance:

• "Adjust Everywhere": The central mantra.
• "Vyū Point": Understanding the other person's perspective.
• "Akram Marg": The path of non-sequence, the direct path to self-realization.
• "Counter-weight": The stabilizing role of a spouse.
• "Counter-pulley": The technique of adjusting one's own "revolutions" (thought processes) to match another's.
• "Vitrāg": One who is free from attachment and aversion.

Overall Tone and Purpose:

The book is written in a simple, direct, and encouraging tone. Dada Bhagwan's teachings are practical and accessible, aiming to provide immediate relief from suffering by offering a clear path to inner peace and harmonious relationships through the consistent practice of "adjusting everywhere." The ultimate goal is to alleviate obstacles and guide individuals towards liberation.