________________
106
THE MYSTERIES OF MIND
howmany directions ?" The scriptures maintain that the jīva draws its sustenance from all the six directions viz. east, west, north, south, and the upper and lower directions. The scriptures do not refer to the food we take by mouth. They also do not refer to the sustenance we draw through the pores of the hairs. They speak of prāņa as the sustenance. The jīva draws its sustenance always from outside itself continuously.
Breath is a powerful means of drawing sustenance. Let me repeat that breath is connected with prāņa, prāṇa with subtle prāṇa and subtle prāṇa with the subtle body or karma śarīra. The practice of long breathing aims at arousing our dormant powers. Perceptive meditation on long breathing is a very significant exercise. It is a clue to the entire process of collecting energy. Perceptive meditation on long breathing is an attempt to arouse all the sources of energy. This meditation has very wide implications. Through this exercise we draw in tremendous energy. It also enables us to tap the central source of energy in us. A sudden explosion of energy enables us to achieve many things.
Perceptive meditation on regular breathing is also a means of collecting energy. Sama vrtti breathing means drawing in air through one nostril and releasing it through another. In this exercise the mind is yoked to breath. Psychosomatic scientists have come to the conclusion that special consciousness centres can be activated by samavrtti breathing. It develops in the practitioner the capacity for super-sensual knowledge also. Through it the practitioner can also attain the power of clairvoyance.
Breath is useful in several other yogic exercises. There are meditations on long breathing, regular breathing and subtle breathing. The entire structure of sādhanā is based on breath.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
