Page 28 - Desire to Disaster

of temples, upāśrayas, places of pilgrimage, etc. And it will
benefit by hearing religious sermons and spiritual discourses.
And that your soul benefits from dharma kriyā {religious
conduct}, sukruta {noble actions} and sat pravātti {auspicious
activities}. One must focus on developing ātmaguña {qualities
of the soul}.

I should not give up these fine goals and run after wealth,
women and family ties. I should not chase material objects,
should not run after worldly fame, should not hanker for
power and should not seek adulation. Instead, I must focus
on dharma, good qualities, devotion to the Arihantas, to Jain
ascetics and to the Jain dharma. Only these activities will
help my soul. As this mindset gets strengthened, you will find
that your interest in religion and spirituality increases. Such
is the nature of reality, that if you focus enough on one thing,
you develop a deep and abiding interest in it.

9. Let go of the Unnecessary

Along with what you are doing, begin scaling down activities
that are useless and only serve to kill time or activities you
do only to get more personal luxuries. Else, these activities
strengthen your desire for worldly pleasure.

A checklist for what you should do and should not do:

1. Is this activity necessary to remain alive?
2. Can I survive without doing it?

3. Would I endanger my life if I do not do this activity?

If your answer is no for all three questions, then do not
carry out that particular activity of mind/speech/body. Be
determined in order to achieve this.

These 9 measures shall help you attain spiritual upliftment.
They will keep you away from worldly desires.

28 Desire to Disaster