Introspection

Self-observation and reporting of conscious Self-observation and reporting of conscious inner thoughts, desires and sensations.inner thoughts, desires and sensations.Conscious and purposive process relying on Conscious and purposive process relying on thinking, reasoning, and examining one's soul. thinking, reasoning, and examining one's soul. Contemplation of one's self.Contemplation of one's self.

Plato "…why should we not calmly and patiently Plato "…why should we not calmly and patiently review our own thoughts, and thoroughly review our own thoughts, and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us examine and see what these appearances in us really are?"really are?"

12 Bhävanä

भा�व - भा�वना�भा�व्यते� इतिते भा�वना� –thinking over and over

भा�वना� भावना�शि ना� –ends life cycle

सं�स्का�रपा�दना� भा�वना� –creates extraordinary thought

स्व�धी�ना�त्तम भा�वना� –under our control

12 Bhävanä

Why we need contemplation?

We are product of ideas adopted from social surrounding

We think, act, react with preconceived concepts around us

We cling to dogmatic view

We are attached to four instincts for ever

We forget the purpose of life

cont......

We have distorted view of the world .

What attracts from distance does not look same at close range

~Mountain

~Mirage

Efficacy of Bhavanä

These Bhävanäs :

Give tools to examine life

Create awareness of goal of life

Create an atmosphere for righteous meditation

Clearly distinguish between ‘self’ and ‘other’

Help to see life / world as it is

Connect us to religion

5 Bhävanäs are addressed to soulअतिनात्यअ रणसं�सं�रएकात्वअन्यत्व

1 addressed to body / soulअ शि!

6 related to philosophy

आस्रवसं�वरतिनार्ज%र�लो�कास्वरूपाबो�धिधीदुलो%भाधीम%भा�वना�

3 and 10 are objective

1,2,4,5,6 are subjective

7,8,9 are stages of development related to karma

11,12 are instrumental

Do we have a quest for truth?

Ancient tradition for a new mendicant to observe natureOne old leaf drops, new sprout emergesDeath and birth are two waves of same ocean : LifeUntil we reach the ‘best’, we go through ‘bad’, ‘good’, and ‘better’ Behind continuous changes is the continuity of the changeless

अतिनात्य : The changeless beneath the changes

Impermanence is a frightening wordBecause it is labeled ‘my’Understand the impermanent and the permanent reality behind the ever-changing elements of existence in our lives Re-educate the mind to focus on permanent entity

Positive outcome of Anitya BhävanäPositive outcome of Anitya Bhävanä

Sense of discretionSense of discretion

Widens our perspective and visionWidens our perspective and vision

We do not waste any energy on temporary thingsWe do not waste any energy on temporary things

We become humble and generous towards We become humble and generous towards shortcomings of othersshortcomings of others

We do not fly high during prosperity and feel down We do not fly high during prosperity and feel down or depressed during adverse situations.or depressed during adverse situations.

We start to experience a deep feeling of oneness We start to experience a deep feeling of oneness with all life. with all life.

We will have quest for permanent existenceWe will have quest for permanent existence

अ रण : protection in an unprotected world

When nothing is everlasting, where do we go for shelter?

Our Kevali Bhagavants have shown the path of positive insight to lift us above fear

No false promises

New insight: I am my own savior

You become your own light

Seed thoughts for meditation Seed thoughts for meditation Asharan BhävanäAsharan Bhävanä

There is no escape from the evil consequences There is no escape from the evil consequences of our evil acts.of our evil acts.I am becoming aware that I am without true I am becoming aware that I am without true protection. One by one, I see that the things protection. One by one, I see that the things and persons on whom I depend are themselves and persons on whom I depend are themselves helpless.helpless.Let me turn my consciousness away from the Let me turn my consciousness away from the temporary dependencies and connect with the temporary dependencies and connect with the pure stream of life, my inner world, my pure stream of life, my inner world, my everlasting protection.everlasting protection.

Positive outcomes of Asharan Bhävanä Positive outcomes of Asharan Bhävanä

We find our own course in life and become We find our own course in life and become self dependentself dependent

Tread the path (shown by Jina) with Tread the path (shown by Jina) with vigilance, our own efforts and wisdomvigilance, our own efforts and wisdom

Realization that true shelter is under the Realization that true shelter is under the Arihant, Siddha, Sädhu and pure religion Arihant, Siddha, Sädhu and pure religion

सं�सं�र : Cycle of death and birthDuals

Ferris wheel

We get caught in perpetual motion of up and downs

Even the moments of pleasure are also illusive

How to be free?

With awareness of purposeful direction one can use turn of the wheel to move towards freedom

Cause of bondage can be used as a cause of freedom

Stay unaffected by just being the observerStay unaffected by just being the observer

Kaleidoscope : same elements by Kaleidoscope : same elements by changing formation create new images changing formation create new images

Seed-Thoughts For MeditationSeed-Thoughts For Meditation Samsär BhävanäSamsär Bhävanä

The ever moving is a continuous cycle of The ever moving is a continuous cycle of change, I am in the center; I am steady and change, I am in the center; I am steady and aware.aware.

Let me watch the circumference from the Let me watch the circumference from the center. center.

Each turn of the wheel can be either a cause Each turn of the wheel can be either a cause of my bondage or a cause of my freedom. of my bondage or a cause of my freedom.

With awareness, I can use each turn as a With awareness, I can use each turn as a challenge to progresschallenge to progress

एकात्व : Freedom from dependency

As we have assumed many forms we do not see our true form

Circumference has many points, center has only one

we are bound in periphery

Isolate yourself in center, but do not become self -centered

Another perspective :

Oneness or unity with all mankind, all living beings

Build a bridge to reach another heart

Positive outcome of Positive outcome of Ekatva Bhävanä Ekatva Bhävanä

Awakens ‘Simhavrutti’Awakens ‘Simhavrutti’ Nourishes self-dependenceNourishes self-dependence Pronounces individual liberty and individual Pronounces individual liberty and individual

responsibility responsibility Helps to face calamities with full energy Helps to face calamities with full energy Makes us perseverant and patientMakes us perseverant and patient My family and my friends are not mine does My family and my friends are not mine does

not breed selfishness but brings non-not breed selfishness but brings non-attachment.attachment.

It teaches us to be deserving and capable.It teaches us to be deserving and capable.

Seed-Thoughts For Meditation Seed-Thoughts For Meditation Ekatva BhävanäEkatva Bhävanä

I am One. I came alone into the world. I I am One. I came alone into the world. I will depart alone. I know how to stand will depart alone. I know how to stand alone, without dependence or support, alone, without dependence or support, apart from the herd, fearless and strong in apart from the herd, fearless and strong in my Selfmy SelfLet me be aware of everyone as flame, as Let me be aware of everyone as flame, as living light, including myself. Let me living light, including myself. Let me realize the magnificence and potency of realize the magnificence and potency of soul and become universal.soul and become universal.

अन्यत्व : In search of incomparable

That which is other than your essence or ‘Self’

Anya – where you have mistakenly identified yourself

Sva – Your true self that is incomparable

What are the things we have identified with?

body

sensory objects

family, relatives, friends

possessions

racial, cultural and religious labels

ideas

Experience the difference between what is ‘Self’ and what is not

What is yours can never be taken away What is yours can never be taken away fromfrom you and what is not yours never can you and what is not yours never can be owned.be owned.

Seed-Thoughts For Meditation Seed-Thoughts For Meditation Anyatva BhävanäAnyatva Bhävanä

What is living, sentient, and formless is ever-What is living, sentient, and formless is ever-moving energy; that is me. What is composing moving energy; that is me. What is composing and decomposing is insentient energy; that is and decomposing is insentient energy; that is body. I do not want to be agitated by bodily pains body. I do not want to be agitated by bodily pains and pleasures. and pleasures. The world is not agony or pain. Pain is my own The world is not agony or pain. Pain is my own confusion, my possessiveness.confusion, my possessiveness.I have allowed my limited mind to identify with I have allowed my limited mind to identify with ephemeral things and turn them into concepts. ephemeral things and turn them into concepts. Binding myself to them, I have become bound. Binding myself to them, I have become bound. Now I turn to that light which can persuade the Now I turn to that light which can persuade the mind to loosen its hold. I want to free myself of mind to loosen its hold. I want to free myself of dependency and perceive life clearly. dependency and perceive life clearly.

अ शि! : Impurity

Body is itself impure, born out of things impure, and produces things impure.Without the existence of the soul within it, it is Without the existence of the soul within it, it is nothing but a structure of dirt and diseases.nothing but a structure of dirt and diseases.Even with the existence of soul within, it is Even with the existence of soul within, it is constantly under the process of decay and constantly under the process of decay and deteriorationdeterioration

Due to impurity of thought we do not behave with awareness

Positive outcomePositive outcome of Ashuchi bhävanä of Ashuchi bhävanäIt destroys the pride our body, family, caste and It destroys the pride our body, family, caste and

race. race. It reduces and removes one's attachment for It reduces and removes one's attachment for

one's body, which causes neglect of soul and one's body, which causes neglect of soul and spiritual welfare. spiritual welfare.

Reduces indulgence in material objects to satisfy Reduces indulgence in material objects to satisfy the undisciplined cravings of the body.the undisciplined cravings of the body.

Purity comes from proper self-control, performing Purity comes from proper self-control, performing good and virtuous actsgood and virtuous acts

It should be properly maintained as it is the only It should be properly maintained as it is the only vehicle to purify the soulvehicle to purify the soul

र�रम�ध्य� खलो धीम% सं�धीनाम- र�रम�ध्य� खलो धीम% सं�धीनाम-

आस्रव : Observing the Inflow

Vibrations streaming into consciousness from all sides

From within

From society

From desires

From emotions

From conditioning

From repulsion and attractions

These debris muddies our pristine consciousness

The pollutants are :

Passions

5 active sense organs with mind

Unawareness

No discipline

Ignorance

Seed-Thoughts for meditation

Äsrava Bhävanä It teaches how to observe our unlocked gates, our flaws, our unchecked addictionsI stand back, watch the inflow, do not identify with them so it can go back outside as it came from outsideDetachment is not going away from anybody; it is coming to my own selfLet me see myself as a clean body of water, pure and sparkling

सं�वर : art of stoppage

To close the window when the storm is about to comeStorm of anger

Control with power of steam engineLet out steam like a pressure cooker3 steps to stop cycle of reaction~Be aware of your feeling~Retain the energy until balance retains~Use gentle selective words in a clear effective

ways

Storm of ego

Know the difference between self-respect and ego

Self-respect radiates from inner awareness, ego depends on external situation

Storm of greed

Contentment should not hinder progress

Storm of deceit

When we do not have first three, we do not need mask of deceit

We need courage, conviction, confidence and vigilance of a mountaineer

तिनार्ज%र� : The art of cleansing

It is shedding off, breaking off bindings, attachments

It need discipline like a river controlled with banks to protect and guide

Things are not holding us, our desires are holding us

Seed-thoughts for meditation

I want to free myself from limiting habits and reach my heights

I want discipline from inner awareness, not from outside compulsion so my energy can flow towards permanent reality

लो�कस्वरूपलो�कस्वरूपThe Nature of the UniverseThe Nature of the Universe

The constituents of this universe are soul, The constituents of this universe are soul, matter, law of motion, law of rest, space, and matter, law of motion, law of rest, space, and time. Of these six, only soul is aware. time. Of these six, only soul is aware. Here we need to understand the nature of Here we need to understand the nature of substance and its modification substance and its modification When I know the value of the day, I won't spoil it When I know the value of the day, I won't spoil it at any cost.at any cost.I am living, conscious energy. Let me melt away my inner walls of fear, greed, possessiveness, anger, and ignorance. I want to free myself from all bonds and live beyond.

Positive outcome of Loka-svaroop BhävanäPositive outcome of Loka-svaroop Bhävanä

Thinking about our attachment to the ever-Thinking about our attachment to the ever-changing matter makes us aware of its changing matter makes us aware of its futility and our ignorance. futility and our ignorance.

Thinking about our trivial place in the Thinking about our trivial place in the vastness of the universe makes us humble vastness of the universe makes us humble and dissolves our pride. and dissolves our pride.

बो�धिधीदुलो%भा : The rare occasion

Human form

Favorable environment

Virtuous family

Right Guru

Desire to progress

Righteous vision

Even after getting all favorable things, in the name of religion and tradition, we foster pride and attainment of Bodhi slips from our hands

लो�गस्संउवसंग्गहर�र्जयव�यर�य

Rarity of enlightenment (Bodhi Durlabh)Rarity of enlightenment (Bodhi Durlabh)

I am knowledge, Removing the veils, I am I am knowledge, Removing the veils, I am revealing myself.revealing myself.

It is just to be and not to possess. It is just to be and not to possess.

Let me celebrate the unique moment when Let me celebrate the unique moment when I realize that I am eternal , unborn, I realize that I am eternal , unborn, imperishable. When I experience this rare imperishable. When I experience this rare inner treasure, this will be my greatest inner treasure, this will be my greatest achievement.achievement.

धीम% : The nature of our nature

Reality

Religion

Truth

Nature

Seed-Thoughts for meditation

Let me stop being tossed and turned by the waves of unreality and step onto my steady island, my Dharma

No one is commanding my life. I am commanding myself.

All else is temporary. Reality is here on this island of Dharma

धर्म जा गरि�क Self Awareness

का2 अहम- ? Who am I?

का� मम र्ज�ई? What is my Gati?

किंका5 ! म� का लोम? What family I belong?

द�वते� ग रवश्च का� म� ? Who are my God and Guru?

का� मम धीम%? What is my religion?

का� व� अभिभाग्रह� म� ? Which are my Vratas?

का� अवस्था� म� ? What is my status?

किंका5 मय� का: ते� काते%व्य� ? What duties am I executing ?

किंका5 का: त्य� ! म� �षम- ? What duties are not done?

किंका5 ! क्य� ना संम�!र�धिम ? Is my laziness responsible?

किंका5 म� पार2 पाश्यतिते ? Which of my faults are seen by others?

का� ! मधिय द�ष�2 ? What faults do I have?

किंका5 व� स्खशिलोते� Why I can not get rid of my faults? तिववर्ज%य�धिम ?

Jai Jinendra

If I have said anything against the teachings of Jina

MICHCHHA MI DUKKADAM