“Mantra Jñāna: Passage through the Sūkṣma Śarīra,” the latest book authored by Dr. Parveen Jain, offers a comprehensive exploration of Jain mantra philosophy and its impact on the subtle body. Based on the teachings of Ācārya Sushil Kumar, the book delves into the metaphysics of language and the transformative power of mantras in spiritual progression. The text elaborates on how mantras interact with the subtle body, known as the sūkṣma śarīra, to produce profound effects on personal conduct and spiritual development. Mantras are depicted as instruments for awakening inner spiritual energies and harmonizing the practitioner's consciousness with universal truths. The book also highlights the intricate relationships between sound, light, and color in the context of mantra practice, based on Ācārya Sushil Kumar’s discourses, emphasizing the interplay between phonemes and the fundamental elements of nature – earth, fire, wind, water, and space (dravya-tattvas: pṛthivī, agni, vāyu, jala, ākāśa)—also called pañca-dravyas or pañca-bhūtas.

Ācārya Sushil Kumar explains how through mantra recitation, practitioners can access divine energies and progress towards liberation by invoking cosmic vibrations. By providing insights into the science of mantra creation, the text investigates how practitioners engage in mantra sādhana to elevate their consciousness and achieve spiritual enlightenment. "Mantra Jñāna" serves as a valuable resource for understanding Jain philosophy and the spiritual benefits of mantra practice. Ultimately, this book stands as both a source of inspiration for spiritual practice among practitioners and an essential case study of Jain mantra and language theory for scholars.

The Formation of a Word from a Thought to Verbal Articulation and Contemplation

Bringing to light an important dharmic tradition that is highly relevant to the modern age, An Introduction to Jain Philosophy provides Western readers with the most accessible and enlightening overview of this spiritual philosophy yet. Although in practice for millennia, and having been extremely influential in the development of Indian thought and culture, the Jain tradition has remained relatively underrepresented outside of India. An Introduction to Jain Philosophy is a significant attempt to address that.

Drawing on an extraordinary collection of writings and discourses by the Jain monk Ācārya Sushil Kumar, and on his own self-studies as a lifelong practitioner, author Parveen Jain distills the fundamental tenets of Jain philosophy for both academic and non-academic audiences. With relevance to today’s political conflicts and our own search for meaning and purpose in our lives, An Introduction to Jain Philosophy holds the timeless teachings of what Jain thinkers have to say about the universal issues of the human condition — and how we might understand and enhance our relationship with other living beings as a powerful and effective spiritual journey.