Be A Light Unto Yourself

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Dr. Anu Chopra Dhawan was born into a well known, well to do renowned and litterature Chopra family halling from Hafizabad, West Punjab, now settled in Kolkata. She is the daughter of Mr. R.M. Chopra, famous author of learned works on various subjects like The Legacy of Punjab, The Punjab and Bengal, Rumi: His Dk Anu Dhawan Teachings and Philosophy, among others, and late Mrs. Adarsh Chopra who is also the author of the book: Punjabi Akhaans and Folk Songs.

After preliminary education from Loreto School, Dr. Anu Chopra Dhawan completed Under-graduate studies in Loreto College, (Kolkata), Post Graduation from Delhi University, Ph. D from University of Calcutta, Bachelor of Education from Annamali University, and P.G. Diploma in Computer Application (DIMS). She has also completed Short Hand and Typing course from Dunfords, Kolkata. She has done Elementary Course in German from Max Muellar Bhawan, (Kolkata). She has taught Computer Science in Springdales School, New Delhi and in Army Public School, New Delhi. The author has written two books on computers: COMPUTER FOR BEGINNERS and ELEMENTARY COMPUTING. This is the author's third book.

In this book, BE A LIGHT UNTO YOURSELF, the autho has tried to bring forth the brief life of Avatar Meher Baba and his teachings. This book is written in simple language so that even the youth can read the book and try to lead their lives in the righteous way that Meher Baba has taught. By writing this book the author wants to bring to the notice of the common man and the youth in particular that they can attain spirituality and move towards their goal of attaining God Realization. It will be found extremely useful to all those who seek spiritual awakening.

I was acquainted with the name of Meher Baba when as a kid I heard my grandfather Dr. Hira Lall Chopra often mention his name as a spiritual awakener of the twentieth century who lived in Ahmednagar.

It was recently that, in the course of my study on the spiritual world and on spiritualism, I came across the name of Meher Baba. His name not only evoked my childhood memories but also spurred me on to undertake deeper study to gain insight into the life and achievements of Meher Baba. In the course of this pursuit I also went to Avatar Meher Baba Centre, New Delhi. The Centre was very helpful in providing information and reading material on the life and teachings of Meher Baba.

I must admit that, on studying the available material on the life and achievements of Meher Baba, I was wonderstruck as to how an ordinary person, leading an ordinary life, by a twist of fate, not only realized spirituality but also turned into an ardent spiritual awakener for the rest of mankind in this predominantly materialistic world.

From time immemorial many spiritual personages have embellished the spiritual horizon of India who have made substantial contribution to the spiritual upliftment of man in India. Some amongst them have been Mahatma Buddha in the 6 century BC, who brought a spiritual message of Eight Fold Path (Pali: ariyo althangiko maggo; Sanskrit: aryastangamarga) [1]. This is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the achievement of self awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena (or reality) and to eradicate greed, hatred and delusion. The Noble Eight Fold Path is the fourth of Buddha's Four Noble Truths; the first element of the Noble Eight Fold Path is, in turn, an understanding of the Four Noble Truths. It is also known as the Middle Path or Middle Way.

All eight elements of the path begin with the word right. The Noble Eight Fold paths are: -

Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livlihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

Buddha's contemporary was Bhagwan Mahavira, last of the twenty four Tirthankara of the Jains who, among other things, laid emphasis on ahimsa (Buddha's non- violence). Mahavira taught the three things:- Right Faith - we must believe in truth Right Knowledge - understand what life is all about - Right Conduct - the conduct which our faith and knowledge show us to be correct. These are the three Jewels, or Ratnatraya, of Jainism.

**Contents and Sample Pages**