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PREKSA MEDITATION AND THE TRAINING OF THE MIND
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are the inherent characteristics of consciousness. We try to activate these characteristics through prèkşā meditation. In the course of this endeavour concentration will take place of its own accord. Concentration, in a sense, is a byproduct.
Io prekşā meditation we try to perceive the body. First we see the form of the body, its external appearance. Then we try to carry the mind inside the body so that it may see the inner constituents of the body. We see the gross and subtle vibrations of the body. The human body is a part and parcel of the universe in which we live. It is a replica of the universe. It is wrong to think that the mind is confined into the brain only. Like consciousness it has several strata. One stratum of consciousness lies at the level of the sense-organs. Another exists at the level of the cells of the body. Every cell has its own brain. We try to perceive consciousness at all its levels and to arouse and expand it. Perceiving the entire body means perceiving the cells and to activate them. It is necessary to break the inertia of the cells so that they may become conscious. Every cell of the body is seized by inertia. We have not yet tried to break this inertia. Every cell has the potential to become united with consciousness and to be guided by it. When it is not united with consciousness, it remains inert. Every cell is biologically active. The sensory and motor nerves work continuously. The sensation caused by the prick of a thorn is immediately carried to the spinal cord and through it to the brain centres. The motor nerves come to act immediately. The cells become active and the hands proceeds to pick out the thorn. The sensory and motor nerves work within the body. Their actions are the result of the sensitivity of the nervous system
However, the conscious centres which enable us to perceive subtle things have to be activated and freed from inertia. Meditative perception of the centres of consciousness is, Therefore, to be repeated time and again. Ultimately our supersensuous consciousness becomes manifest and we can perceive subtle truths.
Prekşā meditation is not only an attempt to see the constituents of the body, it also aims at perceiving all the objects of the world in their true colours. Dharmya dhyāna
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