Book Title: Mysteries of Mind
Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

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Page 187
________________ 174 THE MYSTERIES OF MIND A practitioner decided to switch on and switch off electric light in a bulb with the help of mental powers. He practised and his will power became so strong that he succeeded. Anyhow, such powers have no spiritual value. One can do good as well as bad to others without any physical aid but only with the aid of his mental powers. He exertes himself and succeeds. An ascetic once went to beg food. He entered a house. The lady of the house gave a cold shoulder to him. The ascetic became enraged and cursed the lady saying, “Go, be burnt into ashes.” The lady retorted with a smile, “I am a hard nut to crack. I am a devoted wife and your curse will have no effect on me. The mental powers of a devoted wife are far stronger than those you possess.” There was an archer renowned for his archery. His achievements went into his head and he began to boast of them before a friend who advised him to meet his guru. The former went to the guru. The guru took him to the top of a hill. A flock of birds was flying high up in the sky. The guru said to the archer, "See. I will show to you my powers." He then showed to the archer his feat in Animēşa Prèkşā (gazing at an object without twinkling the eyes). He gazed at the birds for some time and all the birds fell dead on the earth. Through Animèșa prēkņā you can down flying birds and stop moving heavy vehicles. Anyhow, these are not examples of the application of spiritual powers, They are examples of the application of mental powers only. Even the spiritual practitioners need the powers of the mind but for other purposes. But in both cases the method and process of arousing mental energy remain the same. The only difference is that the purposes for which it is aroused are different. The spiritual practitioner walks on a different path where impurity of heart, speech and body find no place. The practice of arousing mental powers is not a complicated practice. However, certain conditions have to be fulfilled The first condition is the relaxation of the body. This is called kayoțsarga without which mental energy cannot be aroused. No energy can be aroused in a state of physical tension. A tense mind and a tense body are hindrances in tne Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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