Jain Studies and Science

Author(s): Mahaveer Raj Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 25

INTRODUCTION / 23
whereas, for the teachers of spiritualism, soul and consciousness were primary. Neither the physical equipments nor the consciousness are self-sufficient. Through equipments alone no valid discovery can be made and similarly, no spiritualist can advance ahead only on the basis of consciousness. The great teachers of Spiritualism have also realised the importance of the inert and lifeless substances. Without knowing both of them, our balanced behaviour is not possible. Of late, both science and spiritualism have been commercialised, which is not desirable. As both are aspiring for the same truth - our existence and its meaning - their fusion is inevitably essential."
There is a striking similarity between the methods adopted by the science and spirituality. Both are travelling a journey from figurative, macro and tangible towards the obscure, micro and abstract. The medium for a spiritual person is transcendental and superior knowledge whereas, for a scientist the media are microscope and telescope. Spiritualists, long back, had discovered sub-atomic particles by invoking their mystical pow today the atomic scientists are heading towards consciousness as the driving force. Clarifying this fact Mahapragya writes, “Scientist Einstein was asked during his last moments, “What would you like to be in your next life?' He answered, 'In this life, I had yearned for material knowledge. My entire approach had been object oriented. In the following birth, I would make an attempt to know myself, my soul and the secrets of my consciousness.' This is what he desired for his next life!" Preksha
Mahapragya is the pioneer of Preksha Meditation. Rapid advancements in the scientific theories and discoveries have put our entire civilization in a predicament. The pace of technological development is dangerous and at times, suicidal. There is a dire need to regulate its pace as well its direction. We need to seriously ponder over this issue and evaluate its impact on mental peace, tensionfree happiness and general health.
Mahapragya, in order to solve this problem, has combined yoga and philosophy to evolve the science of living, popularly known as Preksha Meditation. Highlighting its salient features, he says that the Preksha experiments mainly comprised of the results obtained by the studies on psychology, physiology, sociology, ecology etc. In this meditation, the anatomy of the body is understood. It applies physiology to comprehend the body functioning and it utilises the psychology to understand the mood and temper. Preksha Meditation paves the way to reach the higher consciousness through the application of scientific perspective to the body and the psychology.
Mahapragya believes that science and technology has made it easy for philosophy and spirituality to objectively examine their own methods of selfpurification. For example, whether a particular method of meditation helps in