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Jainism in a Global Perspective
suits you. There is no force or tension: you are simply sitting in a relaxed mood and resting your gaze on anything which creates a peaceful, loving feeling.
Now, for the fifth step : slowly lift your gaze to middle point somewhere between where you are seated and the horizon. You may fix your eyes on some object or simply on a line of direction. If your eyes are closed, follow the procedure within you, with your imagination. Rest at this point of focus 30 to 40 seconds.
Then, the sixth step is gradually to raise your gaze to the horizon itself, or, if you are practicing with closed eyes, gaze to the horizon imaginatively.
The seventh step is to repeat steps one to six, turning your attention inward, with your eyes closed. This whole procedure may take seven to eight minutes. There is no haste, no time pressure.
Mantras are used for various purposes : whether for calming down; forone-pointedness; for emptying and focusing; for understanding the ego; for growth in happiness and achievements; for eliminating negative traits; for improving communication; for experiencing harmony and pure awareness, that is, realization of the Self. Meditation is used to reach our higher Self - that is its main purpose.
We raise our mind to the higher Self wizere we enjoy a state of bliss. This is the Jaina way of thinking, living and being, in order to reach the height of consciousness which is beyond all the previous levels of consciousness. This is the supreme moment of consummation with one's Self.
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