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breath at the same instant as it happens, neither before nor after. This is exactly what is meant by living in the present moment, being fully aware of the present moment. In business and profession, mental concentration means focusing full attention to the work-of-moment, leaving aside all other work for the time-being. To form the habit of focusing full attention is an excellent means of increasing operational efficiency.
Large industrial, commercial and business concerns spend thousands of rupees in training their top managers to increase their operational efficiency. The training institutions, generally, conduct such training programmes through seminars and symposia. But the basic factor for the development of efficiency is mental concentration and this can be achieved by the exercise of perception of breathing.
Alertness
Perception of breath is an unfailing tool for increasing mental alertness. As stated, the technique lays down that one should be fully aware of each and every inhalation as well as exhalation. Obviously this is possible only if the mind is alert and wakeful, otherwise the respiration will be mechanical and not consciously controlled. If we use the analogy of a watchman, a sleepy watchman serves no purpose at all, as when he sleeps, anybody can go in and get out. Regular practice of controlled conscious breathing and its perception increase the alertness of mind. Then, not a single breath can escape its attention, and there will be total awareness. When breath and mind are yoked together, they must travel together, remain together. If one of the two companions goes to sleep, the company would be broken. Granted that normally it is not easy to limit the orbit of the wandering mind. The path of breath is very limited while that of the mind is extensive. Breath travels from the nostril to the lungs - a very small and narrow path. Mind can wander around the world. Indeed it is difficult to couple such divergent partners -a giant with the speed of lightning and a dwarf which moves around at a snail's
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| SR No. | 006558 |
| Book Title | Preksha Dhyana Perception of Breathing |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Mahapragna Acharya |
| Publisher | Jain Vishva Bharati |
| Publication Year | 1994 |
| Total Pages | 50 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English & Yoga |
| File Size | 2 MB |