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JAIN AGAMA IN CONTEXT TO SCIENCE
body are related to our kārmic body. Research in modern day psychology is only limited to karmic body whereas Jainism says there is a pure soul beyond physical (Aaudārik) body, fire (Tejas) body and karmic body.
Jain mythology permits hypnotism, but it is used for a good cause. Psychologists, by hypnotizing first relax the body of their patients and then try to reach the subconscious mind.
In Sri Avaśyaka Sūtra, the procedure of kayotsarga is explained. Kāyotsarga means to make the body motionless. Hypnotism combined with meditation helps in increasing fearlessness, getting rid of bad habits, concentration and decisionmaking. Logassa is also a psychological method to connect your soul with the librated souls and is a way of purifying the self. Logassa helps us to awaken strengths of our subconscious mind and helps in increasing our spirituality.
In Jain rituals, the act of bowing down on knees with head bent touching the floor (vandana), and paying homage is very important. The Jain Āchāraya have advocated this ritual because this involves yoga, exercise and a positive psychological impact.
When you bow down, your stomach is pressed and as a result the pancreas secretes a hormone which calms our tāmsic nature. This is a physiological reaction. When one bows down and does sãshtāng pranām, the cosmic energy easily enters in him. Bowing down to pay homage not only brings about physical change but also transforms one's nature, making him humble. It helps to dissolve the ego as well. This psychological phenomenon dissolves our self-centered attitude and instills devotion in us. Bowing down to the liberated souls with such feelings of devotion helps us in being completely dedicated to them. One can find such explanation of sashtāng pranām in Sri Avaśyaka Sūtra and other Agama Śāstras.
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