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How to keep thoughts to progress in life
In Jain dharma, real “progress in life” means progress of the soul (aatma) – reducing paap (negative karma) and increasing punya + inner purity. Thoughts (bhaav) are the main cause of bondage and also the main key to progress.
Here is a simple Jain-based way to keep thoughts progressive:
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1. Clear your goal: “What is progress for me?”
According to Jain philosophy:
- Lowest level: only material progress (money, status, comforts).
- Higher level: material + moral progress (honesty, ahimsa, good character).
- Highest level: spiritual progress (samyak darshan, samyak gyaan, samyak charitra).
Decide clearly inside:
- “I want to live by ahimsa, satya, brahmacharya, aparigraha, and move slowly towards moksh.”
This clear inner decision (nischay) itself starts changing thoughts.
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2. Right thoughts through Samyak Darshan attitude
Try to keep these core Jain attitudes active in daily thinking:
- I am a soul (aatma), not only body and name.
– Remind yourself: “I am chetan, pure, peaceful by nature.”
- Everyone’s soul is like mine.
– So avoid hatred, jealousy, revenge thoughts.
- Karma is my own creation, results are fair.
– Instead of blaming others, think: “Let me respond with patience and wisdom.”
These attitudes reduce negative thinking and increase shanti.
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3. Daily Anupreksha (Jain reflections)
Spend at least 5–10 minutes daily on Anupreksha (contemplation). Simple ones:
- Anitya Anupreksha – “Everything material is temporary.”
– Helps you avoid over-attachment and worry.
- Ashrava–Bandh Anupreksha – “Wrong thoughts create new karma.”
– When angry/greedy thoughts come, you will catch them faster.
- Samvar–Nirjara Anupreksha – “Good thoughts stop and burn karma.”
– Think: “Patience, forgiveness and contentment are my true wealth.”
Close eyes, breathe slowly, repeat these thoughts gently.
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4. Use Jain Stotra / Sutra to guide thoughts
Chanting with understanding changes thinking deeply.
- Navkar Mantra – do with bhaav of bowing to all gunas (qualities), not to bodies.
- Simple stotras like:
While chanting, think:
- “May anger, pride, deceit, greed reduce.”
- “May I walk one step closer to the path of Arihants.”
You can find many Jain sutras and stavans here and here
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5. Practical mind-discipline in daily life
- Pause before reaction
- When angry or upset, take 3 deep breaths and silently say “Micchami Dukkadam” in mind. - This stops wrong thoughts from growing.
- Ahimsa filter for thoughts
- Ask: “Is this thought violent (against myself or others)?” - If yes, drop it and replace with: “May all beings be happy; I will not harm.”
- Limit comparison & jealousy
- Remind: “Everyone is under their own karmas; I will focus on purifying mine.”
- Daily small vows (Anuvratas)
- E.g. “Today I will not lie”, or “Today I will eat with full awareness, without waste.” - Keeping small vows strengthens positive thinking.
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6. Satsang and right company
- Listen/read about Tirthankars, Ganadhars, Acharyas regularly (even 10 minutes).
- Keep company of people who value dharma, simplicity, truthfulness.
- Avoid media and company that fills mind with violence, lust, hatred, gossip.
Whatever goes in through eyes and ears becomes our thoughts.
You can explore many simple Jain questions/answers and stories for satsang here
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7. Nightly Pratikraman style review
Before sleeping, spend 5 minutes:
- Recall the day: where did you think with:
- anger, - jealousy, - ego, - attachment/greed?
- Silently feel regret and say:
- “These thoughts were wrong. I will try to improve tomorrow. Micchami Dukkadam.”
- Remember a Jain ideal (like Mahavir Swami’s forgiveness and fearlessness) and sleep with that image.
This slowly cleans the inner mind.
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Very short summary
To keep thoughts helping your true progress in life:
- Remember: “I am a pure soul; karma is temporary.”
- Practice daily anupreksha (reflection) and small meditation.
- Chant Navkar and other Jain stotras with understanding.
- Follow ahimsa, truth, and contentment in thoughts first, then in words and actions.
- Do a gentle self-check every night with Pratikraman bhaav.
Even if you start with just 5–10 minutes a day of sincere practice, your thoughts will slowly become more peaceful, focused, and truly progressive in the Jain sense.
