EDUCATION Cultivating World Bhavanas CultivatingInner InnerPeace Peaceinin aa Turbulent Turbulent W orld through B havanas - By Payal Seth By Payal Seth
Payal Seth is an economics researcher at the Tata-Cornell Institute, Cornell University. She is also a passionate author who crafts illuminating articles, dedicated to exploring and celebrating the profound significance of spiritual values in our modern lives. Her articles have been published on several national and international platforms. In a world marked by political unrest, conflict, and division, the pursuit of peace has never been more critical. Peace, however, is not a mere absence of external conflict but a profound state of equilibrium that must first be nurtured within ourselves. All ancient philosophies promote inner peace to be the cornerstone of fostering peace in the external world. In Jain philosophy the practice of Bhavanas or Reflections is an invaluable tool that guides us on this transformative journey. In this article, we will explore the concept of inner peace, the significance of cultivating it, and how Bhavanas, and other contemplative practices, can aid in achieving this elusive tranquility.
within us which can ultimately lead us to inner serenity. In addition, there are 4 action-oriented bhavanas which focus more on our behavior and relationship with others. Let's explore some essential bhavanas that can guide us toward cultivating inner peace.
The Vitality of Inner Peace Amidst the cacophony of divisive politics and social discord, the concept of inner peace may appear distant and unattainable. However, it is essential to understand that genuine peace originates from within. Inner peace is a state of mental and emotional harmony that empowers us to confront life's challenges with grace and resilience. It equips us to address conflicts and differences with compassion and understanding rather than hostility and aggression. By cultivating inner peace, we are better prepared to be the positive contributors to the world, engage in constructive dialogues, and work towards equitable solutions.
Importance of Thought Process There are many situations in the external world that make us anxious, angry, and frustrated. We tend to blame others and circumstances for our state of mind; however, we have to realize that the main reason that happens to us is our thought process. When faced with similar challenges one person manages to stay calm vs. another person is stressed out. Although there are many reasons for this difference, such as cultural background, upbringing, belief system, etc; one of the reasons is the ability to accept the situation. And to develop such ability of acceptance we need to understand the true nature of the world, everyday realities of life. Jainism recommends contemplating on the 12 Bhavanas, which can help us in understanding the way things are so that we can learn to accept any situation in a calm manner. An important aspect of these Bhavanas is that while explaining the realities of life or the external world, they promote a shift in our focus from what is temporary and destructible to what is eternal – the soul. This creates a keen desire in us to explore our true nature. We put our efforts towards seeking peace and happiness that is 24
1) Contemplative Bhavanas Anitya (Impermanence) Anitya encourages us to recognize the impermanence of all things in life. It makes us realize that our physical body, youth, beauty, health, wealth, sensual pleasures, power, fame, everything is temporary. It reminds us that change is the only constant. When we embrace impermanence, we release attachments to material possessions, relationships, and ideologies that may trigger inner turmoil.
We learn to treasure the fleeting beauty of the present moment and relinquish the anxiety caused by a preoccupation with the past or future. This bhavana is
