The aim of "Sāmāyika" is to transcend our daily experiences as the "constantly changing" human beings, called Jiva, and allow identification with the "changeless" reality in practitioner, called the atman. One of the main goals of "Sāmāyika" is to inculcate equanimity, to see all the events equanimously. It encourages to be consistently spiritually vigilant. "Sāmāyika" is practiced in all the Jain sects and communities. Samayika is an important practice during Paryushana, a special eight- or ten-day period. In Jainism, six essential duties are prescribed for a "śrāvaka" (householder), out of which one duty is "Samayika". These help the laity in achieving the principle of "ahimsa" which is necessary for his/her spiritual upliftment. The "sāmayika vrata" (vow to meditate) is intended to be observed three times a day if possible; other-wise at least once daily. Its objective is to enable the "śrāvaka" to abstain from all kinds of sins during the period of time fixed for its observance. The usual duration of the "sāmayika" vow is an "antara mūharta" (a period of time not exceeding 48 minutes). During this period, which the layman spends in study and meditation, he vows to refrain from the commission of the five kinds of sin — injury, falsehood, theft, unchastity and love of material possessions in any of the three ways. These three ways are:-  In performing "sāmayika" the "śrāvaka" has to stand facing north or east and bow to the "Pañca-Parameṣṭhi". He then sit down and recites the Namokara mantra a certain number of times, and finally devotes himself to holy meditation. This consists in: "Sāmayika" can be performed anywhere- a temple, private residence, forest and the like. But the place shouldn't be open to disturbance. According to the Jain text, Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, while performing "sāmayika", one should meditate on:  The ascetic has to perform the "sāmāyika" three times a day.