Online Shibir - March 2020 - Updesh Chayya 6, 8, 9

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Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

As the shibir in Sayla has been cancelled for March and many swadhyays around the world have paused to avoid group gatherings, Param Pujya Bhaishree has blessed us with a digital online Shibir, our vandan at his feet.

We will be sharing the digital shibir here on the website and on whatsapp for our Mumukshus for 5 days from 21st - 25th March 2020.

As in shibir we encourage you to
- maintain as much maun as possible,
- to introspect and spend as much of the day in suvicharna and atma chintan,
- to reflect and do avlokan of your kashays
- minimise your phone use and limit your interaction with the news and the external world
- eat simply and limit the subjects of the senses.

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Day 1

Morning Ashirvachan:

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Swadhyay - Day 1 - Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrut Updesh Chayya 6

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 2

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 2

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 3

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 3

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 4

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 4

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 5

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 4

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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The Day of Unconditional Love – Valentine’s Day 2020

“Spiritual love is without limits or boundaries; worldly love is superficial and fluctuating”

Valentine’s day: On this day of love, over a hundred mumukshus (true seekers of liberation) of the Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram gathered at Aajivasan Hall, Santacruz, to celebrate with our beloved Sadguru Param Pujya Bhaishree, a personification of selfless love; an epitome of absolute consciousness. With enthusiasm and love in our beating hearts, the entire atmosphere became celestial when mumukshus received Param Pujya Bhaishree with great reverence. It is the fragrance of his love that moved all the mumukshus to sway their hands in the air as if signifying total submission.

After a sumptuous dinner, our Beloved was welcomed with tilak and garland.

Giving a brief introduction, Param Pujya Bhaishree began his swadhyay by saying that our Valentines are the ones who hold the topmost place in our heart i.e. Bhagwan Mahaveer, Param Krupalu Dev, Param Pujya Bapuji and Param Pujya Guruma. He explained that prem (love) is an innate quality, and as we are all spiritual seekers, we should all endeavour to develop it, enhance it, spread it with whomsoever we are connected with.

“Love is the fuel for spiritual growth.”

Everyone expects that they should be loved, be dealt with in a friendly manner and is helped in times of difficulty. However, what is more important is how we deal with others. Wherever there exists ignorance (agnan), delusion (mohbhaav), false perception of reality (mithyatva); ego and selfishness are bound to be the central focal points there and it is deeply embedded in everyone. If we deal with others kindly and with compassion, then we are bound to get that back in reciprocation. 

Param Pujya Bhaishree continued on this point of living with compassion and grace by narrating a conversation between a Guru and his disciple, which takes this concept one stage further.

The Guru asks the disciple as to what is the purpose of our birth on Earth? The disciple replies that we have taken birth to win the love of mankind. The Guru, not very convinced with his answer makes him think hard by posing a further question, is that the only reason or is there anything beyond? With deep introspection, the realisation strikes the disciple and he understands that his thinking  was narrow, self-centered and selfish. The Guru then points out that rather than worrying about “if we do good to others, will we get that back in return?” instead, “should we not just feel happy about the fact that we have done our part by doing good to others?”

In continuation of the subject, and to drive home the point, Param Pujya Bhaishree quoted several sayings (from key texts), of which some were explained in detail:

• To earn love, it is absolutely necessary to give love.

• To live well, love should reflect in our conduct. If that is lacking, then our life is meaningless.

• When we deal with our immediate friends, relatives, is it really filled with love, or does ego and pride arise out of small differences, and out of that, emanates anger?

• If we have all the knowledge of the world but lack love then such knowledge is of no use.

• If we want to live harmoniously, then we have to be conscious, we should create an ability to understand the other person’s feelings and that is the utmost requirement.

• Just imagine, a world full of love, with everyone dealing with each other with affection and empathy, then do you believe that an atmosphere of struggle and hatred can even survive?

 So powerful were these quotes that its impact is everlasting. O dear Bhaishree, if at all we know what universal love is, it is only and only because of you.

Then Param Pujya Bhaishree, the embodiment of true love that he is, narrated a very effective and engrossing story about a priest who was able to overcome his fear and eventually succeed in softening, influencing and transforming Jerry Mason, a ruthless goon, with the three weapons that he had; 

   (i) faith (shraddha)

   (ii) pure love and 

   (iii) prayer (prarthana). 

It eventually resulted in Jerry, who people were frightened of, becoming their saviour. The story reinstalled our faith in the power of selfless love. 

Such a flower of love exists in all our hearts. If we realise and understand the true nature of this love, then we will become eternally happy. Not only that, the impact of such love, maintaining such an aura, will spread in such a way that anyone who comes into contact with us, will eventually realise the power and effect of such selfless love. And if this progress happens, conflict and dispute will  become non-existent. We have to understand and imbibe the virtue of such love in our lives and that is our real valentine.

“Every act of selfless love and compassion uplifts the vibration of the entire universe.”

This was followed by 30 minutes of a mono act about a Brahmin boy, Keshav, who later went on to become the Jain Saint, Muni Shri Veervijayji Maharaj Saheb, by accepting the discipleship under Mahamunishwar Shri Shubhvijayji Maharaj. He was the creator of pujas and many other poems which are simple representations of Jainism, karma theory, the nature of the Lord’s bhakti and the glory of pilgrimage. Through his compositions, he became the immortal signature of devotional history of Jin shashan. This act was enacted through the eyes of his maternal aunt, played by a devout shravika Archana Shah .

The evening culminated with devotional and soulful renditions of songs based on Prem Lakshana Bhakti, which is the highest form of devotion, by Shri Johnybhai and his team.

On this day, it is only appropriate to tell our Beloved “Oh Dear Bhaishree, Your soulful simplicity and love embraces us unconditionally, in spite of our shortcomings. Your untiring efforts to elevate our souls to absolute consciousness, makes us bow down to you in veneration and gratitude”.

Param Pujya Bapuji's Birth Anniversary Mahotsav 2020

“હુ અને માંરૂ જાય તો પછી અધ્યાત્મ માર્ગે ચાલવાનું સેહેલુ થાય.”

— પરમ પૂજ્ય બાપુજી

We are pleased to share live broadcasts (all timings are in IST Indian Standard Time):

Tues 25th Feb

10:30am: Param Pujya Bhaishree’s Swadhyay, Sabha, Bhakti and changing of garlands.

4pm: Swadhyay and Bhakti

8pm Discourse by Pujya Jinji Maharaj

Wed 26th Feb

10:45am Pujya Jinji Maharaj Saheb’s discourse and unveiling of Shree Saraswati Mata’s Pat

2pm: Shree Saraswati Mata Pujan

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Live Broadcasts

Next: 26th Feb 10:45am (IST) - Param Pujya Jinji Maharaj Saheb’s discourse and unveiling of Shree Saraswati Mata Pat

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Previous Swadhyays

આંતર પ્રકાશ ― Longing For The Light Within

Param Pujya Bhaishree's swadhyay on Param Pujya Bapuji's Gnan Prapti Day

Makar Sankranti is an auspicious day for each spiritual seeker at Raj Saubhag Ashram. This is the day when the seed of bodhi sattva was sown in Param Pujya Bapuji's spiritually fertile soil.

Attaining atmagnan was Bapuji's pre-eminent desire. Every act of the worldly realm was performed by him with a detached demeanour. His thirst to live a divinely sublime life escalated with each passing day and as a consequence he lost a lot of weight. Seeing his dispassion towards worldly pleasures, and an earnest zeal to attain his soul, the guruvaryas bestowed upon him the esoteric technique of meditation on the glorious day of Makar Sankranti. Bapuji's thrist to liberate his soul was so intense that, within a period of five days from receiving this divine meditative technique he had realised his soul. Click on the above link to view the video recording of the swadhyay.

Swadhyay held at Shantiniketan. Mumbai on Tues 14th Jan 2020

December 2019 Aradhna Shibir - 67 Statements of Samyaktva

Aradhna Shibir is a spiritual retreat where a true seeker of liberation can focus his/her mind solely on progressing on the path to self-realisation. Under the refuge of our Enlightened Master, Param Pujya Bhaishree and his team of Brahmnishths, seekers from all over the world gather at Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla. Participants follow a daily regime observing solitude and silence for seven days. The regime is designed in such a way that it gives seekers quality time to immerse in meditation, introspection, contemplation and spiritual discourse. In this fast paced life such a meditation retreat is like an oasis where one can find peace and quiet. It is indeed a unique opportunity to center oneself and rediscover yourself. 

Param Pujya Bhaishree’s Discourse

Param Pujya Bhaishree’s subject for the December 2019 Aradhna Shibir was ‘Samyaktva naa sadsath bol’ (67 Statements of Samyaktva) written by the great Upadhyay Shri Yashovijayji Maharaj. Samyaktva means Samyak Darshan (self realisation) as well as faith in True God, True Guru and True Dharma. Pujya Bhaishree said that this work has been studied numerous times, and Param Pujya Bapuji has also shared it; it is an incredibly important topic to understand, reflect and contemplate upon.

The 67 statements of Samyaktva are divided into 12 topics as follows:

1. The four types of faith in the teachings of the equanimously detached God and the Enlightened Master:

a. Having faith in the 9 tattvas.

b. Increasing samta bhaav (equanimity) by serving enlightened saints, devout monks and spirituality-seeking souls. 

c. To distance self from those who have fallen astray from the right path to Liberation. 

d. Not keeping company with those who are extremely worldly. 

Having faith in these tenets aids us in achieving our foremost target; Samyak Darshan (Self-realisation).

2. Interest in Dharma by listening to it, receiving joy from listening to it and in serving the Enlightened Master and seekers of liberation.

3. 10 types of ‘vinay’ dharma. The seed of dharma needs to be nourished so that it can grow into a tree. This seed can be nurtured by giving respect and devotion to the following ten:-

i.  Arihant Bhagvan

ii.  Siddh Bhagvan

iii.  Idol of Bhagvan

iv.  Aagams (spiritual scriptures) which are the works of Bhagvan written by the Gandhars

v. True Religion

vi.  Sadhu

vii. Aacharya

viii. Upadhyay

ix. Spiritual Discourse

x. Complete faith in the teachings of Jineshwar Bhagwan and not doubting it at all.

4. Purification of the 3 yogs: mind, body and speech

1. Desire, ego, anger, deceit, likes, dislikes, delusion and ignorance are impurities of the mind.

2. Harsh, sarcastic, quarrelsome and false words are impurities of the speech.

3.  To hurt someone, beat them, stealing, gambling are impurities of the body.

With the help of introspection and contemplation upon the wisdom imparted by the Enlightened Master, we can redirect our impure inclinations thereby increasing purity of the mind, body and speech.

5. Five faults that block our progress on the true path:

i.  Having doubt in Jineshwar Bhagvan’s teachings

ii.  Pursuing religion to acquire wealth, power, good birth or other worldly desires.

iii.  Having doubts about receiving the fruit of hard work on the spiritual path.

iv.  False belief that worldly pleasures will give us happiness. This strengthens our false perception of reality (mithyatva).

v.  Keeping company of those who pursue worldly desires.

6. Eight ways in which we can propagate Jain Dharm:

a.  Understanding and spreading the teachings of Bhagvan throughout the world.

b.  By giving discourses.

c.   Through debates in courts.

d.  Using astrology.

e.  By performing great penance and not going against the tenets of Jineshwar Bhagvan.

f.    By using mantras.

g.  By using siddhis that one has acquired.

h.  Through poetry. 

7. Five ornaments of devotion towards God and the path laid down by Him:

i.  All rituals should be performed with a devoted and focused mind.

ii.  To do seva-puja-bhakti of Tirthankar Bhagvan and have devotional love towards enlightened saints.

iii.  To have devotion towards Sadguru and follow the Master’s instructions diligently.

iv.  To not to get swayed by mithyatva into following the wrong path.

v.  Appreciate the Jin Shashan.

8. Five virtues that pave the path to self-realisation:

1. Sham – Containment of anger and other negative passions (kashay) and the ability to quieten the impure inclinations (vrutti) that arise. 

2. Samveg – To harbour no form of desire for anything, except for Liberation.

3. Nirved - The realisation that this world is seething with suffering and deep longing to end the Soul’s endless transmigration.

4. Shraddha - Complete faith in True God, True Guru and True Faith.

5. Anukampaa - Compassion towards the less fortunate; kindness towards all souls and inner compassion for Self (for the Soul has been trapped in the web of ignorance and delusion).

These five virtues are the foundation for reaching Moksh. Param Krupalu Dev has defined these virtues in letter number 135. 

9) Six yatnaa - jaynaa or diligence in following the True Dharma and not being misled by false faiths. Param Pujya Bhaishree explained this through the story of a prince called Sangram Sur. Though he was initially cruel, loving to hunt and kill animals, when he heard the bodh of a monk, he repented and gave up hunting. He took the vows of a shravak and followed them diligently. His faith was unshakeable and so great was his love for religion that even Indra praised him in his court as Sangram Sur did not waver from True Faith even at times of crisis.

10) Aagaar is when an ‘exception’ in following the Dharma is allowed. This is when a person undertakes an action against dharma because they are under duress and it is the result of an external force, and against their own personal wishes. 

The six types of external forces that can be exerted are:

• by a king

• by society

• by someone who is stronger or more powerful

• by a Celestial Being

• by a Guru or parents

• to save one's own life so that Samyak Darshan can be pursued as losing a precious human birth would be a great waste. 

Pujya Bhaishree gave the example of Kartik Shreshthi who had to serve food to Taapas Muni against his wishes on the order of the king. Pujya Bhaishree then commented here that we have to decide whether it is an aagaar or not when we fail to do our aagnaas (spiritual regime as instructed by the Mentor). If we are unable to do them, there needs to be a legitimate reason for it to be an aagaar.

11) Importance of Samyak Darshan

Pujya Yashovijay Maharaj has given six examples to highlight the great significance of Samyak Darshan. These examples are to be contemplated upon with a pure mind:

a) Samyaktva is like the roots which hold Dharma upright like a tree.

b) Samyaktva is like the gate without which one cannot enter the city of Dharma.

c) Samyaktva is like the foundations of the palace of Dharma.

d) Samyaktva is like a treasure box in which the jewels of Dharma are kept.

e) Samyaktva is like the support of the land without which the world of Dharma cannot exist.

f) Samyaktva is like a bowl in which the nectar of Dharma can be safely held without spilling.

12) Six affirmations: Param Krupalu Dev has written about these, in letter 493, to Prabhushree Laghuraj Swami, and to Pujya Saubhagbhai in ‘Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra’. The 6 affirmations are: 

a) the soul exists. 

b) the soul cannot be destroyed and exists forever. 

c) the soul is the doer. 

d) the soul bears the fruits of its karmas. 

e) Moksha exists. 

f) Means to Moksha exists. 

Param Pujya Bhaishree used stories to further explain these points so that seekers of all spiritual levels could understand it.

Meditation

Meditation in Kalyan Hall is a superlative experience. One can immediately feel a blanket of peace, quiet and tranquility envelope you as soon as you step into the Hall. It gives a sense of well-being and also a sense of emotional elevation.

One on One Guidance

Each participant of the meditation retreat received  the privileged opportunity to have personal one on one guidance by Brahmnishths (self-realised Souls). It is a very important part of the shibir as we get direct and immediate feedback on how our sadhna is going on. The Brahmnishths help and encourage us. They check if what we are doing is right or wrong and lovingly and gently guide us if we are making any mistakes. 

Brahmnishth Rasikbhai’s Discourse

Brahmnishth Rasikbhai Shah's topic for the shibir was ‘Mumukshu / Sadhak naa antakaran maa’ (Inside the heart of a true seeker of liberation). 

Rasikbhai addressed what a spiritual seeker should ‘know’, ‘imbibe’ and ‘discard’ in order to progress on the path of self-realisation.

Five types of happiness:

All of us desire happiness yet it somehow seems to evade us. We must first understand what is happiness. There are five types of happiness. The first three are worldly whilst the other two are derived from spiritual practice.

1. Sensual pleasures

2. Seeing someone in pain or discomfort.

3. By seeing the results of our saadhanaa.

4. The happiness one feels when s/he experiences the ‘Self’ as distinct from the body.

5. When this (point 4) experience increases and becomes richer and fuller.

In order to reach the fourth, and progressively the fifth state of happiness, there are things which we need to discard and things which we need to imbibe.

Obstacles on the path

We need to discard the obstacles in our path, and so we need to know what these obstacles are. They are:

1 Emotional dependency on the objects and people we consider "ours".

2. Sacrilege (ashaatnaa) towards the teachings of the True God, True Guru and True path to Liberation. Ashaatnaa also means the misuse of objects and offensive behaviour.

3. Disrespectful behaviour towards people and objects.

4. Ego is the most dangerous obstacle on the path to Samyak Darshan. It prevents saadhaks from developing detachment and increases the strength of moh (delusion) on us.

5. Ambition for worldly recognition.

In order to counteract the effects of these obstacles, we  need to cultivate certain virtues. 

The 5 virtues which help in increasing our sense of detachment and thus help us win over our worldly likes and dislikes are:

1. Feeling immense joy and oneness in listening to the Guru's words.

2. Harboring positive and good thoughts and feelings towards all. When we perform all actions under the guidance of a True Guru and attribute all actions to him, only good thoughts prevail in the mind. This removes any negative feelings towards other saadhaks which in turn helps us to see only the good in them. This helps cultivate pramod bhavana - the feeling of appreciation towards all.

3. Selfless service - When we see only positive things in the people around us, it arouses feelings of servitude and creates a sense of giving service to Guru, monks and other fellow seekers.

4. Correct understanding of the true path.

5. Surrendering oneself completely to the True Guru, True God and True Faith.

Rasikbhai's swadhyay elaborated the points made by Pujya Bhaishree in his swadhyays. He enumerated many points where we struggle and the reasons why our progress is slow sometimes. These are thoughts and actions which we do daily, sometimes even without knowing it. All the above depends upon our level of awareness and we should maintain a keen guard on our thoughts all the time.

Conclusion

Reiterating the importance of Samyak Darshan in all the swadhyays, Param Pujya Bhaishree stressed, 

“Samyak Darshan is the grand doorway to Liberation. Since we have all the tools to get to Samyak Darshan, so why shouldn't we do it NOW!!”

Participants felt immense gratitude and love towards Param Pujya Bhaishree and all the Brahmnishths for holding their hand and  painstakingly yet selflessly guiding them throughout the seven winter days in Sayla.

Param Krupaludev Janma Divas Celebration 2019

Quick Links

Write up and photos

Swadhay video recordings

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Celebrating his virtues

“Even kings and emperors with heaps of wealth and vast dominion cannot compare with an ant filled with the love of God.”

— Guru Nanak

Enlightened Masters through the ages have taken birth to become guiding lights to show others the path to self-realisation.  Without any expectations of praise or adulation, they leave footprints in the sands of time as luminous beacons for any soul desirous of saving self from the endless abyss of births and deaths.

Celebrating the birth of every enlightened Master is the most auspicious occasion in the life of every disciple.

Mumukshus of Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla experienced this overflowing love and gratitude while collectively celebrating Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra’s birthday on Kartik Purnima (12 November 2019) in the presence of their own Guru, Param Pujya Bhaishree.  

The auspicious day began with meditation (dhyaan), agna bhakti and Dev Vandan. At 10:30 AM all the mumukshus (seekers of liberation) participated in a ceremonial procession (shobha yatra) in the presence of Bhaishree and all Brahmanishth.  Enthusiastically dancing to the divine melodies, every heart was full of gratitude for Param Krupalu Dev.  

In her initial discourse Brahmanishth Minalben mentioned that our existence would be full of darkness if Shrimadji was not part of our lives.

During Param Satsang, Bhaishree said: “This is a very auspicious day for all Raj Bhakts.  All of us are very fortunate to be walking on the path shown by the most divine soul – Shrimad Rajchandra. He is our inspiration.  Today is also the birth anniversary of other great souls – Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandra Acharya, Guru Nanakji and founder of Sthanakwasi sect Lonkasha Muni.   

There are over 60 ashrams established in the name of Shrimad Rajchandra all over the country and all of them are celebrating his birth to help us overcome taking an endless number of births.  Shrimadji had other exceptional abilities as well such as a phenomenal memory, powers of astrology, amazing power of perception and dexterity with numbers among others, but he realized that these powers and the accompanying fame, were coming in the way of his spiritual growth.  Without a second thought, Shrimadji gave up all these accomplishments to pursue spiritual heights.

At this crucial junction, Shrimadji met Saubhagbhai and from here began a historic relationship, where Shrimadji would share with Saugbhagbhai his innermost thoughts and all spiritual milestones that he was rapidly crossing.”

Quoting from letter number 162, Bhaishree mentioned that Shrimadji writes of himself having attained Samyag Darshan and was now on the path towards the supreme Kevalgyaan.  Bhaishree said: “In a duration of one and a half – two months, Shrimadji had reached the exalted state of Nirvikalp Samadhi.” 

In spite of having to work in a firm trading in diamonds, Shrimadji’s internal state was like that of a sacrosanct saint.  During all his worldly activities – whether working, walking, talking, eating – Shrimadji remained uninvolved and detached.

Members of Digamber Jain Sangh from Surendranagar were also present during the morning session.  The evening ended with Arti, Mangal Divo, evening Dev Vandan, Atma Siddhi and bhakti.  Though the day came to an end, the immense gratitude felt by each and every soul for Param Krupalu Dev multiplied manifold.

Blessed, blessed, blessed is every soul who walks on Bhagwan Mahavir’s path shown by Shrimad Rajchandra.

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Swadhyay video recording

Param Pujya Bhaishree's morning swadhyay on Krupaludev’s virtue of Udasinta.

Param Pujya Bhaishree's afternoon swadhyay on Param Krupaludev's virtues of Nirvikalpta and Asangta