CA. S.M. Jain
Orlando, Fl.
The auspicious occasion of Pratistha Mahotsva, JVB center’s Inauguration Anniversary Day and Akshaya Tritiya were celebrated between April 23rd to 25th in Orlando, Florida with the grace of Acharya Mahaprajna together with the guidance of the Samaniji. Over 500 people from the state of Florida and other states attended the celebration with enthusiasm.
The special attraction of the program was six Samanijis being there at the same time, from New Jersey Samani Mangal Pragya and Samani Amit Pragya, from Houston Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnat Pragya were present at the occasion. With other programs of Pratishtha Samaniji”s program were arranged.
Orange County chairman, Mr. Crotty and commissioner Hartage inaugurated the celebration and presented their views. Mr. Crotty recognized JVB’s spread of non-violence and Mr. Hartage promised his full support for the JVB activities.
During midday Samani Mudit Pragya expressed her views about the center’s past, present and future and presented a lecture on “Steps towards progress”. Samani Mangal Pragya talked about “Why we are here”. Samaniji’s program was administered by Samani Sanmati Pragya.
The evening cultural programs included “Life of Rishabhadev” drama by the pathashala kids and “Chandanbala” drama by the adults. These programs were done with a lot of effort and presented beautifully, thanks to the JVB Orlando committee members and the Jain society.
The director of JVB, Kamlesh Shah thanked all the gustes for coming and appreciated all the volunteers worked to make Pratishtha Mahotsav. The President of executive committee Ashok Shah expressed thanks.
All the guests were offered the literature of Acharya Mahaprajna by Shashi Jain (Miami).
On Saturday March 20th, the Orlando JVB center conducted a Mood and Anger management camp.
Toronto, Canada
Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya from Jain Vishva Bharati, Orlando visited Toronto from April 25 to May 4, 2004, visit was a phenomenal success. Samaniji participated in many programs including lectures in Jain philosophy, How to get rid of your Karma through Dhyan, the Art of living, strengthening the family value, Peace in busy life, The Science of healthy foods at Jain center and various Hindu Temples surrounding Toronto area where attendance of over 200 peoples. The lectures were explain in very simplify manner and common sense Jain philosophy approach.
Preksha Meditation (Meditation Technique) workshop for Fri, Sat and Sunday was the most successful, first time in Toronto more than 77 peoples attended.
Beside Preksha Meditation and Yogasan, Main attraction of the work shop was stress Management through Relaxation, Mood and Anger management with the help of breathing. Every one were very impressed by their in-depth knowledge.
Vinay, vivek, and never tiring attitude. The overwhelmed response from attendance was very positive, every body felt it very relaxing and tension free after the meditation, and they promised to continue practice at home.
It encourage us to continue organizing such an event on continue bases with your interest and support.
Acharya Mahaprajna fromi Ladnun, India developed Preksha Dhyan meditation technique after intense study of Jain Agamas and practicing for over 20 years. Preksha Dhyan improves and enhances physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual health and with regular practice, can open the door of moksha. Compiled by Lalit Pansar
Cleveland, Ohio
Samani Mudit Pragya and Prasanna Pragya attended a two day shibir in Cleveland Ohio. Approximately a hundred and fifty to about two hundred people attended the shibir, where the Samniji’s were welcomed in the beginning with a procession and an introduction.
The day started with yoga and meditation. Five lectures were delivered during the day on the history of mantra, the science of omkar, the journey into Namaskar Mantra, the journey from Aham to Arham, and meditation in the Jain tradition.
The shibir also had sessions aimed toward the youth and children of the Jain community. The Jain community in Cleveland appreciated, and showed great desire to experiment these newly learned topics on themselves.
Another scholar, Tarlaben also delivered leaflets on the “significance of Aagam Vani,” “Pratigya Sutra” and “Aagam Vani ka Upkar”
Overall the spirits of people were very high. The group attended the lectures with lots of enthusiasm and praised the yoga and lectures.
Houston, Texas
Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya visited Houston from 27 - 29 February for a three-day retreat on Preksha Meditation which was organized by Samani Sanmati Pragya and Samani Unnat Pragya of JVB, Houston. The camp received a very enthusiastic response from the local jain community. Altogether about 50 persons of all ages attended the camp. Programs in the camp included daily sessions of Yoga, meditation, relaxation and lectures on various spiritual topics. The camp included talks on Upsampada which is a form of initiation in the goals and activities of the camp. This was followed by talks on Perception of breathing, on healthy life-style, anger management through perception of center of enlightenment and a talk on the topic of fate and effort. All the talks were prepared as Power-point presentations which were projected with LCD projector for the benefit of the audience. Such an audio-visual presentation was received very enthusiastically by the members of the retreat. Attendees were full of appreciation for the simple and lucid explanation of these difficult topics and vowed to follow these teachings in their everyday life.
Milwaukee, Wi.
On the invitation of the local Jain Center Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya visited Milwaukee from 25 - 30 march. Highlights of their visit was a spiritual camp on 27-28 March. Apart from this camp, daily lectures were conducted at the Jain Center on every evening. The camp and the lectures were attended by people from both Jain and non-Jain communities. The program in the camp included Preksha Meditation on the first day followed by activities and lecture on Mood and Anger Management on day 2. The daily lectures were on the topic of Emotional Intelligence through Leshya-Dhyan (perception of psychic colour). This is the first time that such a camp was organized in Milwaukee. The local community took an intense interest in these activities and have decided to hold such spiritual camps every year. It is worth mentioning that Milwaukee has a much smaller jain community compared to many other cities of US, but through devotion and drive they have maintained a very active program of spiritual activity which is worthy of praise by all of us.
West Palm Beach, Fl.
Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya visited West Palm Beach on 19th June. They conducted a camp on Women’s Health and well-being which was attended by about 35 ladies from the local Jain community. Samanijis delivered lectures on the treatment of women’s health problem through Preksha Meditation, Colour Therapy acupressure and Yoga. The also demonstrated various Yoga asanas and techniques of acupressure. This is the first time such a camp integrating aspects of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health were conducted in West palm Beach.
Vero Beach, Fl.
Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya visited the Jewish temple at Vero Beach where they demonstrated Yoga and delivered talks on Jainism. Local American devotees of Jewish faith showed keen interest on the teachings of Jainism. Two such sessions, one for the children and one for the grown-ups, were held. Saminijis also explained the techniques of controlling anger, increasing concentration, non-violence through Preksha meditation and Yoga. The congregation showed immense love and respect for the Jain teachings. These talks were organized through untiring efforts of Rakesh and Indu Jain of Vero Beach and Ms Debra of the Jewish temple.
Samani Mudit Pragya and Samani Prasanna Pragya also visited Ocala, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami where they delivered talks on various spiritual topics related to Jainism.
Pittsburg, Pa.
From May 4th to May 10th Samanijis had an excellent program in Pittsburgh. First day started off with the detail explanation of Logass Sutra and lectures on “Key to happiness. The next three days, there were discussions on Leshya which aroused curiosity amongst the audience for colour meditation. In response to that there was a one day camp on theory and practice of colour meditation, Anger Management, and Stress Management. The visit ended with a session on Women’s health.
Every person had an opportunity to express their experience and found it very practical and useful for their life. They felt they could lit the practice of yoga and meditation in their daily schedules. They were vary impressed by the presentations and happy that they came out learning something useful from the camp.
Overall the program was very well organized by president Shantilal Mohnot from the jain society of Pittsburg.