5 Lessons From Jainism That Can Actually Lead To a Healthy and Happy Life

Jains have been following these habits for centuries to lead a better life.

Jainism is an ancient religion founded more than 2500 years ago by Lord Mahavira. I am a disciple of Jainism, hence my last name is Jain.

Jainism can teach you simple ways to attain a healthy life. There are many practices that Jains have been following for centuries that are just getting recognized by science.

Here are the five practices from my religion that can lead to a healthier life (if applied).

1. Live And Let Others Live

This is my religion’s tagline.

From a very young age, we are taught to look after the creatures that cannot protect themselves.

Mahatma Gandhi was a big believer in Ahimsa(non-violence), which is a pillar of Jainism. He was influenced by his Jain neighbors to practice non-violence, which gave birth to the Satyagraha movement.

The biggest implication of this message is vegetarianism. We are taught not to eat meat or use leather products.

I am 25 years old and I have never eaten meat. I am a lacto-vegetarian.

Devout Jains practice Lacto-vegetarianism, meaning that they eat no eggs, but accept dairy products if there is no violence against animals during their production.

These are some researched-backed benefits of a vegetarian diet.

• A study published in the Journal of American Heart Association found that a plant-based diet, lower in animal foods is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular morbidity.
• A study published in Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. concluded that Vegetarian diets seem to confer protection against cancer.
• A study published in Current Diabetes Reports found that a vegetarian diet can decrease the symptoms of diabetes. Vegan Diet was voted the best diet for the prevention and management of Diabetes.
• A 2021 review published in Scientific Research found that a vegetarian diet is linked with weight loss because of its high fiber content and lower caloric density.

A vegetarian diet is common in India. But in the western world, it is as rare as a bigfoot sighting.

How You Can Do It:-

Don’t worry I am not trying to convert you.

You can eat meat and fish but try to be vegetarian one day a week, to check if you can actually get these benefits. Experiment a little for better health.

My reason for being a vegetarian are personal and rooted in my identity. But this diet can benefit you immensely.

2. Try This 2500 Years Old Diet

Jainism preaches to eat your last meal before sundown. You can have water or milk at night but no solid food.

Jain monks and advanced laypeople avoid eating after sunset, observing a vow of ratri-bhojana-tyaga-vrata — A vow to avoid eating at night. Monks observe a stricter vow by eating only once a day.

Intermittent fasting is not a new technique, my people have been following this practice for more than two centuries now.

These are some researched-backed benefits of intermittent fasting, that will make you want to try this diet

• Intermittent fasting is a sure shot way to boost Human Growth Hormone (HGH) naturally. HGH can help you lose weight and lead to muscle gain.
• Studies show that intermittent fasting reduces inflammation that can cause many chronic diseases.
• A study published in Science Direct found that Intermittent Fasting is beneficial for the prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
• Intermittent fasting can help in the growth of new nerve cells. It can also protect against Alzheimer's disease.
• Intermittent fasting is the fastest diet for weight loss.

How You Can Do It:-

If you are a beginner start by observing a 12 hour fast. Have dinner by 9 PM at the latest and then break your fast the next day after 9 AM.

If you want to make it challenging, try a 14 hour fast. But don’t try to overdo it because it can backfire.

So, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Practice 12 hours fast for 2 months before you move onto the 14 and 16 hours fast.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

3. Sāmāyika

The practice of 48 Minutes of solitude and peace daily.

Sāmāyika is a spiritual and meditative practice that we are advised to do daily. My mother has been doing it daily since 2005.

In Sāmāyika you are supposed to sit at a spot for 48 minutes. You can pray, read spiritual text or meditate, but you are not allowed to move or speak.

It is an introspective practice that will rejuvenate your brain for the whole day. We begin by chanting Namokar Mantra, our holy grail. We are advised to use this time for spiritual and mental development.

You can practice gratitude and non-attachment. Read the spiritual text, write about the roadblocks in your spiritual journey, or simply meditate. It is an activity that promotes mental health and personal growth.

My mother loves her Sāmāyika she is addicted to them. She gets antsy if she misses a day. My father also follows this practice. I practice Sāmāyika, but only on holy days.

How You Can Do It:-

Start by sitting in a spot for 10 minutes daily and journal about your progress. You can write about your professional and personal growth.

You can start a meditation program. Sit in the same spot daily and meditate by chanting Om.

If meditation makes you antsy then you can try walking meditation.

4. Water fasting

Fasting is promoted heavily in my religion. Lord Mahavira advocated that fasting cleanse our souls and help us win over our senses.

Fasting for consecutive days is a common practice in my religion. My father fasted for 9 consecutive days in 2018 and my mother observed a 7-day fast in 2016. In my religion, we call this practice Tapasya.

My current neighbor fasted for 31 days in 2017. I am not making it up, fasting is big in my religion.

There are several benefits of water fasting according to science

• Water fasting is the key to better health. It can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation.
• A study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience found that fasting can help you decrease the risk of age-related brain diseases.
• A study published in Current Opinion on Oncology found that fasting can help in cancer prevention and be a plausible treatment.
• Water Fasting produces beneficial effects like brown fat and the regeneration of tissues.

Starvation leads to a state of Autophagy, which is a process that cleanses the body of damaged organelles and unnecessary proteins.

How You Can Do It:-

I have observed many 24 hours fast. So, I can tell you that it is not an easy task. But, the benefits outweigh the effort greatly.

Start by doing a one-day fast. Do not overdo it. There are serious risks related to fasting so be cautious.

If you feel like you can’t fast anymore then break your fast. And if you are undergoing some treatment then consult your doctor before observing a fast.

5. Practice This Cardio Workout

The jain monks walk everywhere. You read that right. They are barred from using any vehicle. Walking is their only means of transportation. The only exception to this rule is age and illness.

I cannot stress enough about the wonders of walking. You gain both physical health and mental peace from this activity.

Daily steps are the basic indicator of a healthy lifestyle. You need to increase your daily step count to live a better and more active life.

Here are some Science-Approved benefits of walks.

• Faster Digestion:- According to this study Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, a slow 15-minute walk after a meal helped in moving the food through the stomach into the intestines.
• Low-Blood Sugar Levels:- A 2018 study concluded that people who walked 10 minutes after eating white bread had lower blood sugar levels than those who stayed sedentary.
• Weight Loss:- A study published in the International Journal of General Medicine concluded that walking after a meal is much more effective for weight loss.
• Less Gas And Bloating:- A 2020 study found that increasing daily steps reduced the severity of Irritable Bowel Syndrom.
• Stress Reduction:- A study published in Frontiers in Public Health concluded that a 20-minute walk in nature can significantly lower stress levels.

Walking everywhere is extreme for us, the non-monk selfish humans. But committing to your health by being active is necessary.

So, walk more. You will lose weight faster, gain mental clarity and boost your cognitive functions.

Conclusion

I am a proud Jain, who sometimes neglects the knowledge passed on by her ancestor. But, you can see that all the habits promoted by my religion are backed-by science.

Following these 5 simple practices religiously can lead to a healthy lifestyle and a peaceful mind.

So, start today. Pick one habit that you liked the most and practice it for the next seven days. And if you liked water fasting then start by observing a 24 hour fast.

If you enjoy reading my stories and want to support me as a writer, consider signing up to become a Medium member. It only costs $5 per month. By signing up with this link, you’ll support me directly with a portion of your fee, but it won’t cost you any more. Thank you!

For more stories on health and fitness sent straight to your inbox, subscribe here.