The Epitome of Gusto
By: Young Jains Of America, Yja
Tags: Yja, Perspectives, Ymq4

The Epitome of Gusto

“Today is life — the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today.” — Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie wasn’t the first to say this; Shah Rukh Khan sang it in Kal Ho Na Ho, millennials have been hashtagging YOLO, and the Romans said Carpe Diem. What all of these proverbs (perhaps intentionally) exclude, however, is what it means to make the most of life, to live it to the fullest.

But Carnegie also has another quote: “Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.” Here, he expands upon what makes one feel like they’re truly living: it’s when their entire existence is beating for something, allowing their energy to flow so that they feel alive.

Though the authors of such quotes always leave the question of what one’s ultimate goal is (I suppose that’s what all great philosophers have sought to answer), we may be able to reach into Jain philosophy for clarity here.

At face value, it seems like gusto is antithetical to Jainism. After all, gusto suggests that one must be enthusiastic about something. And when we are enthusiastic, we are attached, which lead to the four “passions,” or kashayas: the root to our unhappiness. For any action I take with gusto, I may lash out in anger when things go awry, tread a deceitful path to fulfill a goal, inflate my sense of pride upon accomplishment, and even continue to yearn for more even once I’ve reached my initial goal. (Read this issue’s education corner to learn more about the four kashayas.)

However, people with gusto can also teach us a lot: how to be robust in the face of adversity, empower those around them, and be strong leaders and followers. When I first thought about arranging this issue, I searched for stories of people who cared deeply about a particular cause. Initially inspired by the enthusiasm in our community in spite of the pandemic, with pathshalas going virtual and a canceled convention taking the shape of YJA Day, I sought to share that gusto; it’s contagious. As you read the featured stories and experiences in this issue, and I hope you’re inspired to flow with their energy and direct it where you see fit.

Yet after reading and reflecting on the stories in this issue, I realize I had slightly misconstrued the definition of gusto — it doesn’t defy Jain principles. In its purest form, it doesn’t need a subject — you don’t have to be enthusiastic about something. In other words, it doesn’t necessitate attachment: moh or parigraha. So if one can detach themselves from the outcome of the event, yet participate with full gusto, that’s when they’ll truly be making the most of life, of the moment.

This feeling isn’t exactly foreign, either; you’ve likely caught a glimpse of it while doing something you truly enjoyed. The experience is often marked with a complete loss of sense of time — I first recognized this state of flow while playing violin in middle school. If we can be autotelic, sourcing purpose and drive from within ourselves, we’ll naturally exhibit gusto in all we do while feeling internal contentment.

Here’s to another year filled with gusto: the kind that allows us to grow from setbacks, as you’ll see throughout the issue. I hope to bring the best of our community to you all through Young Minds this year — and for that, I’ll need your support. Your readership guides our future decisions: what kind of content we publish, how much, and how often. If you’d like to share any feedback or have a story for a future issue, please let us know at publications@yja.org.

With #yjalove,

Vishwa Shah

Director of Publications

2020–2021