Jivan Safar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jivan Safar" (The Journey of Life), based on the provided pages:

The book "Jivan Safar," published by Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra, Koba, authored by Mitesh A Shah and Sureshbhai Rawal, appears to be a collection of spiritual guidance, inspirational stories, and ethical teachings, likely aimed at promoting a righteous and meaningful life, particularly within the Jain tradition. The publication is associated with the Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra (Shrimad Sadbhut-Seva-Sadhna Kendra) in Koba, Gujarat, India.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content present in the provided pages:

I. New Year Greetings and Aspirations (Pages 2-3):

• The book begins with New Year greetings, emphasizing the importance of living a life filled with good thoughts and righteous conduct.
• It encourages readers to adorn their lives with the "gems of virtues" and to equip themselves with good character and Dharma (righteousness) for life's journey.
• Wishes for wisdom, happiness, peace, and health are extended for the new year.
• Specific wishes include: a shining inner lamp of self-welfare amidst life's challenges, a smooth and successful life journey, a life filled with purity, joy, love, honesty, and light, a life sculpted by virtues, abundant waves of joy, and growth in mutual love, unity, and happiness within families and society.
• A call to embark on the path of progress shown by the Divine is made.

II. Publisher's Note and Purpose (Page 4):

• The Kendra's mission is to present virtuous, life-development-oriented, and high-quality literature for the service of society.
• Despite the perceived declining interest in such literature, the publication aims to inspire individuals to understand their humanity, live noble lives, develop virtues, and awaken true wisdom.
• The goal is to cultivate good citizens, dedicated professionals, and virtuous individuals, leading to happiness and peace at personal, familial, and societal levels.
• The publisher highlights the need for such small, low-cost booklets to reach distant villages and instill values, especially in light of undesirable changes in lifestyle and culture over the past few decades.
• This publication is presented as part of a tradition of dedicating virtuous literature during the auspicious Diwali period.

III. Core Teachings and Wisdom (Pages 5-43): The book is rich with various pearls of wisdom, often presented as short lessons, quotes, or anecdotes. Key themes include:

• Living Wisely and Ethically:

  • Life's Journey: Life is short, worldly entanglements are long; shorten the entanglements to make life feel long and happy.
  • Learning from Mistakes: Don't dwell on past errors; focus on not repeating them.
  • Self-Reflection: Focus on one's own faults rather than the faults of others.
  • Mind-Body Connection: Happiness and sorrow are mental constructs. Acting wickedly leads to failure.
  • Timeliness in Dharma: Since the time of death is unknown, act with haste in matters of Dharma.
  • The Value of Companionship (Satsang): Good company is the root of all happiness.
  • The Preciousness of Time: Every moment is invaluable. Losing even a moment is like losing an entire life cycle.
  • Sadaachar (Good Conduct): Virtues like compassion, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and limiting possessions are essential.
  • Desire and Aversion: Avoid attachment; if attachment is to be formed, let it be towards noble individuals. Avoid hatred; if hatred is to be harbored, let it be towards the unskillful.
  • Mastering the Mind: He who controls his mind controls the world.
  • Taking Vows: If mistakes are made, sincerely resolve not to repeat them through mind, speech, and action. Stop past actions and refrain from them.
  • Devotion: Remain devoted to God's service; this is the path to liberation.

• Living a God-Centric Life:

  • Every Moment as the Last: Gandhi's perspective on living every moment as if it were the last, and dedicating the entire life to God, not just the end.

• The Significance of Diwali and Auspiciousness:

  • Diwali ("Deepavali" - the festival of lights) signifies joy, light, knowledge, and auspiciousness.
  • Auspiciousness extends to the body (health), speech (kindness, truth), and wealth, which can be used for good deeds, charity, and supporting the needy.
  • Decorating life with good deeds and inner peace, like decorating homes with lamps, leads to a virtuous and pure life.

• The Power of Prayer and Perseverance:

  • Prayer is the lifeblood, essence, and strength of life. It's the key to unlocking any door.
  • Don't despair in failure; persevere with patience and effort.

• Making Every Day Count:

  • Start each day with the thought that it is the beginning of your future life and make it fulfilling and successful.

• Wise Use of Resources:

  • Use time and energy even more carefully than money.

• Dedicating to Tasks:

  • Approach every task, big or small, as if it were the most important thing in the world.

• Inspirational Stories and Examples:

  • Danveer Jagsudshah: A tale of immense generosity during a famine, where Jagsudshah distributed vast quantities of grain without discrimination, earning great respect.
  • The "New Laughing Club": A humorous take on life's absurdities, highlighting how we often miss opportunities for laughter in everyday life.
  • Norman Cousins and the Power of Laughter: A story of how laughter and positive thinking helped a man overcome a terminal illness, demonstrating laughter as a powerful medicine.
  • Reverence for Life (Sant Francis): The story of Saint Francis and his profound love for all living beings, including animals and birds, and how his connection with nature impressed even the Pope.
  • Guru Nanak and the Selection of His Successor: The narrative of Guru Nanak choosing his disciple Angad over his son based on Angad's humility and willingness to perform humble tasks, emphasizing that true leadership comes from selfless service.
  • The Wisdom of Chanakya: A discussion on how simplicity and prioritizing the welfare of the people over personal luxury are crucial for good governance.
  • The King and the Saying "This Day Too Shall Pass": A story about a king who found strength in a simple message during adversity and later remembered it to guide him through times of prosperity and complacency.
  • The Essence of Jainism: Short summaries on the core tenets of Jainism, such as the significance of the Navkar mantra, equanimity, righteous conduct, non-violence, austerity, forgiveness, contentment, and charity.
  • The True Meaning of Bathing (Guru Nanak): Guru Nanak's teaching that true purification comes from the heart and righteous conduct, not just ritualistic bathing.
  • The Language of Birds: The idea that true understanding and connection with nature are based on love and empathy, not just intellectual discourse.
  • The Wisdom of a Child: A story about a child who refused to steal apples, demonstrating integrity and self-respect.

• Ethical Principles and Conduct:

  • Integrity: Being honest and accountable to oneself.
  • Parental Care: The importance of caring for parents in their old age, reflecting the child's understanding of their parents' future needs.
  • Impact of Environment on Children: Children learn from what they observe, making a positive home environment crucial for their development.
  • The Power of "We": The importance of collective thinking and inclusive language.
  • Gratitude and Humility: Expressing thanks, admitting mistakes, and respecting others' opinions.
  • The Nature of Wealth: Wealth without character is like an uncontrolled elephant or a car without brakes. Wealth earned through unethical means brings internal sorrow.
  • The Value of Satsang: Good company is a wish-fulfilling tree in the Kali Yuga.
  • Avoiding Misinterpretation of Festivals: Not defiling religious festivals with vices.
  • The Dangers of Negative Influences: Bad company, bad literature, and bad places are sources of fear.
  • The Solidifying Nature of Doubt: Doubt solidifies with every bit of evidence.
  • The Difficulty of Forgiveness: Forgiving others' mistakes and accepting one's own destiny is challenging.
  • The Paradox of Pockets: Life's journey begins with empty pockets and ends with empty pockets, yet the pursuit of wealth often leads to sin.
  • Broadening Perspectives: Visiting hospitals and impoverished areas can offer valuable insights.
  • Using Faculties Appropriately: Using intellect in the market, affection in family, and faith in religion.
  • The Nature of True Happiness: Finding happiness in what is received rather than chasing what is desired.
  • Persistence: The last key on a ring might be the one that opens the lock.

• The Power of Forgiveness and Guiltlessness:

  • Henry David Thoreau: A philosophical discussion on living a life of integrity, where one has no need to ask for forgiveness from God or anyone else due to a life lived righteously.

• The Nature of Worry:

  • Analysis of worry shows that most of it is unnecessary, stemming from future anxieties and past regrets.

• The Significance of a Companion's Support:

  • A touching story of a husband's compassionate response to his wife after the loss of their child, highlighting the importance of empathy and support in relationships.

• Revolutionary Spirit:

  • A story of a revolutionary choosing the gallows over imprisonment, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom.

• The Nature of Blindness:

  • A parable illustrating that true blindness is not physical but a lack of discernment and moral sight, often driven by greed.

• The Definition of Dharma (Righteousness):

  • Swami Dayanand Saraswati's perspective on Dharma, emphasizing that not causing harm, not wishing ill upon others, and refraining from wrongdoing are forms of righteous conduct, even without monetary donations.

• Important Words in Life:

  • A list of key words and phrases that promote positive relationships and personal growth, such as "We," "Thank you," "If you like," "What is your opinion?" "You did a great job," and "I am sorry, I made a mistake."

IV. Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra, Koba (Page 44):

• The page details the objectives of the Kendra, founded by Param Shraddhey Shri Atmanandji.
• These objectives include establishing and preserving the eternal truths of Indian culture, studying and disseminating spiritual and anekant (many-sided) philosophies, promoting devotional music, fostering yoga and health initiatives, and establishing dedicated sadhaks (aspirants) following a code of conduct.
• Its activities encompass regular Satsang (spiritual discourse), Swadhyaya (self-study), Bhakti (devotion), and meditation.
• The Kendra also boasts a library with approximately 15,000 books, has published around 45 books in various languages, and publishes a spiritual monthly called "Divya Dhwani." It also organizes camps, pilgrimages, and educational programs.

In essence, "Jivan Safar" aims to guide readers towards a life of purpose, virtue, and spiritual fulfillment, drawing wisdom from Jain philosophy, inspirational stories, and ethical teachings. It encourages self-reflection, righteous conduct, and a deep connection with the divine, while also offering practical advice for navigating the complexities of life with wisdom and grace.