Just as the sun and moon rise and set every day we must alternate activity and rest. The physical body is impacted by the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Balancing sleep and wakefulness is crucial to imparting balance to life.
Generally speaking, the duration of sleep is determined by body’s condition. Newborns and infants tend to sleep sweetly and soundly, most of the day and night. As they grow, the need for sleep gradually decreases. Old people manage well with just a few hours of snoozing.
Everyone longs for regular and restful sleep but a few attain it. People also desire the right amount of sleep. Neither excessive sleeping nor staying awake too long is healthy. Experts believe that sleep deprivation in the early years has a negative impact on mental and physical health later in life. While eating, drinking, sitting, standing or walking, person’s mind is cluttered by all kinds of thoughts. And even sleep does not leave one alone since the thinking process may keep going on and on!
In these times man has lost many of his valuable natural assets, including the ability to sleep, with deleterious and sometimes even disastrous consequences. Insomniacs resort to all sorts of remedies, even prescriptions, which may eventually take a heavy toll. An easier and more practical solution for sleeplessness is preksha, a technique of yoga and meditation. Kayotsarg, a preksha exercise that relaxes the mind and body, is a prerequisite for refreshing sleep. Deep breathing also calms the flickering mind. And both these ‘therapies’ are completely safe and totally free!.
Both quality as well as the quantity of sleep is governed by the nature of the person. When looked at from the perspective of karma sleep is related to darshanavaraniya karma. Sleeping consciousness; sleeping even when awake - has been attributed to bad karma and is deemed unhealthy. It hampers self - development, results in Avirati (lack of restraint) and Adharmacharan (sinful indulgence), all of which lead to misery.
Views of Acharya Mahashraman from "LIFE, Twelve Golden Principles for Holistic Living"Holi Milan
In presence of Samani Shukla Pragyaji & Samani Unnata Pragyaji (visiting from FIU, Miami)
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 6-7 PM - Dinner & 7:15 to 9:45 PM - Program
Venue: Six Mile Run Church, 3037 State Rte 27, Franklin, NJ 08823
Please RSVP ASAP
WWW.WELL-BEING.CALL
A Workshop with Samani Shuklapragyaji & Samani Unnatapragyaji
The workshop, with Samanijis, held on March 8, was a very interesting presentation on the overall well being of a human. The program was attended by many families of JVB. Vice president Sumitraji Kankariya welcomed Samanijis on behalf of JVBNA New Jersey.
Samani Unnatapragyaji conducted a very interesting experiment with the participating audiences, who were divided into 5 teams, and had to present a dish using Jain principles and values as its ingredients. The teams were given topics on which they had to present their spiritual dishes. It was a very creative culinary effort by all the teams to bring forth a dish created with the Jain fundamentals, which was then relished by every one.
Samani Shuklapragyaji's pravachan was very insightful. She discussed about the well being of a human being. Spirituality is all about the practice of some principles to experience a blissful life - positive thoughts, right attitude, awareness of your action, setting goals in life, and setting priorities for self. It is also very important for our overall well being - physical well being, mental well being, financial well being, social well being, and spiritual well being.
She discussed how we need to make our weak week into win week, by being well-organized, innovative, and bringing in new ideas in life and getting rid of our worries, ego, anger and knots in our relationships. We all need to make a call with ourselves to find the purpose of our lives, and engage in self introspection into realizing the potential of the human life. The choice is ours to make the required changes in life to attain the moksha and connect with the divine.
Samani Unnatapragyaji also conducted a parallel session on well-being with the Gyanshala children. This was a very inspiring and interactive session and was very well received by the children.
Upcoming Events
- Saturday, March 14 - Holi Milan With Samani Shukla Pragyaji & Samani Unnata Pragyaji (Visiting from Miami) 6PM - 10PM - Six Mile Run Church, 3037 State Rte 27, Franklin, NJ 08823
- Saturday, May 2 - Path of Ahimsa/Akshay Tritiya - Six Mile Run Church, Franklin, NJ.
- Weekend of June 12-14 - Annual Spiritual Family Camp - Arsh Vidya, PA.
Throughout the history of India, there are very few contributions by Jains mentioned in the school, general history, etc. As we know that Jains have contributed greatly to the history of India whether it is for welfare, education, religion, and against the British, here are several fascinating tidbits about men and women who were portrayed on the stamps and coins of India.
For example, how many of you have heard of Bhama Shah? He was the General and Prime Minister of Maharana Pratap and a staunch follower of Jainism.
Please click on the link below to learn more about our history.
http://jainismus.hubpages.com/hub/Famous-Jains-on-Postal-Stamps