What is Anuvrat? How can it be used in daily life?

Anuvrat

Anuvrat means small vows. Taking big vows becomes a big challenge for most, but taking small vows ( Anuvrat ) was suggested by Mahavir tohave better control of one’s mind.

Here is an article about Anuvrat, that I was required to write for publishing in a newsletter.

I am a retired physician and practiced internal medicine for 37 years.

Primary care practice provides a unique opportunity to mold your patients’ lives in an individualized way that appeals to the physician himself,
over and above traditional medical care.

While practicing, I was fortunate enough to have come in contact with pure nonsectarian spirituality, which not only revolutionized my personal
life but also changed the lives of many of my patients.

As an internist, most of my patient load was related to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and their related complications.

As I got deeper into spirituality and my vision about the root cause of these diseases started crystallizing, it became clear to me that our mind is
the ultimate controller of our behavior – good or bad.

At the same time, I realized that most of the efforts applied toward changing one’s behavior to combat these diseases are futile unless the
the pattern of mind is changed.

An unhealthy mind leads to an unhealthy body.

Changing the pattern of the mind is not easy, though.

It requires commitment, patience, regular meditation, and much introspection.

So, most of the people don’t even start on that path.

So, this was my dilemma.

I knew what would help them, but I couldn’t convince them to do it.

At this juncture, I used to tell them about my own experience with the great teachings of Mahavir – “Anuvrat” – a step-by-step approach to
changing your mind pattern, which in turn can change your behavior.

Bhav ( innermost feeling, determination ), Vichar ( thoughts ), and kriya ( actions ) is the spiritual axis in the order in which we all live ( whether we
know it or not ).

Pure Bhav leads to pure thoughts, and pure thoughts lead to pure actions.

And Mahavir was one of the most incredible souls who had invested his whole life in spirituality and had mastered it.

Mahavir said –
“ Temptations are always going to be part of your life.
But there is a way to overcome them.
You have to accept your temptation first.
( Acceptance leads to a release of powerful energy ).

After that, you have to start putting your conditions against your temptations.

You will gradually start getting stronger and the temptation weaker. “

When I came across his preaching, I was addicted to Reese’s Pieces peanut butter cups. ( It may sound funny, but this is the reality for millions,
in one form or another).

Despite being overweight and having high cholesterol and blood sugar, I regularly consumed them and could not get rid of them.
So, I used Mahavir’s technique of Anuvrat.

1. I accepted the fact that I was addicted to them. I, with an intelligent mind, was at a much lower level than Reese’s, which had no brain. This
acceptance released a lot of energy in me to do something about it. ( A new Bhav was set within me ).

2. I started putting conditions that I would have them ONLY on certain occasions, not daily. This way, I promised my mind that it would have
them on my terms. ( “Vichar – thoughts – started becoming active, taking me towards mental purity.) (The mind started becoming weaker and the
soul stronger ).

3. I put my plan into action. I had three Reese’s on Valentine’s Day, and the mind had to wait till Easter. On Easter, I had two, and then on

Memorial Day, only one, as my desires had started burning out in the fire of the soul. And when July 4th came, I had none. I was free.

The temptation was gone. I benefited tremendously from Anuvrat of Mahavir.

This was one of my several victories ( Like running Marathons, becoming spiritual vegan, etc. – naming some ) over my closed mind, bringing me

closer and closer to the Atma, the ultimate freedom on the spiritual path, leading to a healthy mind and body.