Mysteries of Mind

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

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THE MYSTERIES OF MIND
place in the same centres or cakras. It is from these centres that consciousness descends downwards.
Jain ācāryas have constructed the model of lokapuruşa. They have represented the universe in the form of a purușa or ideal man. The body of the lokapuruşa is divided into three parts, the upper, the middle and the lower. Divine beings reside in the upper part, human beings in the middle part and infernal beings in the lower part. The seat of the emancipated souls lies in the upper part which is situated above the heart. Gods and emancipated and perfected souls live in the upper part, human beings in the middle part and hell lies in the lower part below the waist. Dharma lēśyās or auspicious colorations of the soul take place in the upper part whereas adharma lesyās or inauspicious colorations in the lower part of the body.
Deha-prekṣā or perceptive meditation of the body begins by concentrating the mind on the heart. There is a reason for this. In meditation we first carry the vital energy upwards. Once this energy has been developed, three will be no harm if it is carried downwards. But if consciousness happened to be bogged down in the lower parts of the body, it would produce serious consequences. If we are earnest about having a perception of ultimate reality, or of the light of consciousness, we will have to perform an ascending journey. We will have to carry the vital energy upwards in order to get rid of the baser instincts. With the ascent of the vital energy a marked change in the operation of the baser instincts will begin to take place.
The ascent of vital energy is the first step in sadhanā. It is also called tapa (austerities). Tapa consists in collecting the vital energy and driving it upwards. But there will be a great commotion before it turned upwards. The paths of all great revolutions are paved with commotions and explosions. But if sufficient energy has not been stored, there will be no commotion. If we want to collect energy we must be parsimonious in spending it. Otherwise there will be no commotion. Anyhow, we have to push up vital energy.
The first kind of tapa is fasting. A fasting and hungry practitioner will be able to collect enormous energy. Even the food we eat produces energy but it can only maintain the