Jainism Eternal and Universal Path for Enlightenment

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

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Jainism: The Eternal and Universal path for Enlightenment
and padm1san. Goduh 1san increases the virya and provides energy required for difficult physical, mental and spiritual goals. The idea of various yog 'sans is to increase the flow of blood in the corresponding points of various chakras. Yogasans must be accompanied by pranayam (enhancement and control of pr1na shakti). Some aspects of the other stages of yoga i.e. praty har, dh ran, dhy 'n and Sam dhi will be discussed later on. The yoga thus provides a path to achieve Moka. Cultivating spiritual consciousness requires activation of Kundalini, which is the Vagus tenth cranial nerve, lying dormant in the Manipur chakra. Meditation in various postures can activate the Kundalini by flow of blood and energy. Thus it is essential to sit in padm1san, vajr1 san or sukh 1san with erect spinal chord, as straight as an arrow, to enter in to meditation.
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Tapa (penance)
Tapa is the practice of austerity or penance. The main goal of these austerities is to awaken the dormant powers of the body and to break various habits which are formed because of the bonds between various sensory organs (indriyas) and conscious and subconscious mind (mana and chetan 1) and to dissolve past karmas. Habits create obstructions in keeping the mind alert. It is the first step towards purifying body and mind. Simple mortification of body may not be of much help and the essential requirement is that tapas should be practiced with the purpose of meditation on the m1. Tapas are of two types: external and internal. External tapas are of six types (anshan, unodari, vrittisankshep, rasparity 1g, sanyam and sanleent1). All these tapas are equally applicable to all the indriyas and are not just confined to food. Because of the fast and continuing mental evolution of the human mind (mana), which is not yet fully mature, the requirement of all the indriyas is controlled by mind and not by actual physical need. The requirements assessed by mind is therefore virtual and not real. Mind thus acts as an undesirable and interfering agency between requirement and fulfillment of the physical needs of various indriyas. Anshan helps in assessing the actual physical need of each indriya i.e. hunger, sex, speech, vision, smell etc. Jainism firmly believes that state of mind depends on food one takes. No food can lead to the state of no-mind. Anshan begins with eating s1tvik food, fasting at various levels, from eating only once a day to observing fast for one day (Apv 1s: App1 means tm and V1s means to stay with it) or more (two, three, eight or ten days) and then to a month and beyond. Contrary to the general belief, it is not only possible but quite easy to fast for days together. At physical level, this helps all the cells of the body to unite and