Preksha Dhyana Perception of Body

SR No.: 006557
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 50
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Yoga
File Size: 3 MB

Page 36

Perception of Body
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body. To do this, one must first understand the system and learn the technique--focus the attention on each part of the body in turn, starting from the outermost surface, penetrate deep inside and concentrate. In the body, various systems are functioning continually. The heart beats, the blood circulates, oxygen fills the lungs and is carried inside by the haemoglobin in the blood; all organs are active; the whole organism throbs with activity. The machinery of the organism works incessantly like a colossal factory. Every minute, innumerable phenomena occur, thousands of chemical reactions take place, millions of old red blood cells are destroyed and new ones are created, but the common man is completely unaware of all these. He is blissfully ignorant of what goes on inside (his body). The reason of unawareness is that most of the functions are automatic, i.e., do not involve the conscious mind. Only a deliberate concentration of internal perception can give an idea of the colossal activity within. And there is a high degree of automatization which filters out most of the sensations from being perceived. The instrument of perception has thus been blunted and is unable to detect subtle sensations. A process of deautomatization by a deliberate concentration and focussing of the attention can sharpen this instrument to some extent to enable it to get an idea of the colossal activity inside. Be aware of the tremendous activities of various organs such as, subtle movements inside due to the flow of the vital energy; chemical reactions due to metabolic functions; electrical impulses being transmitted from nerve to nerve; every moment various body mechanisms have to react to the continual changes in the external environment-heat and cold, humidity and dryness-a dynamic equilibrium is maintained by continual adjustments of body fluids; food materials are torn down into simpler units or oxidised to release the energy; bioelectrical phenomena take place continually. All these are to be perceived and be aware of before one thinks of the most subtle element-the soul. The soul is inside the body, but before one can reach this most subtle truth, one has to open umpteen windows and unlock umpteen doors. When everything else is perceived and laid threadbare, one can hope to realise the soul. The soul is at the centre,