Mysteries of Mind

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

Page 91

78
THE MYSTERIES OF MIND
nor defeat. The original meaning of the term darśana was to see or to perceive. In the course of the time the art of seeing or perceiving disappeared giving place to dry logic. Direct perception came to be superseded by inference. Indirect knowledge took the place of direct knowledge. This process resulted in the development of mutually-opposed schools of philosophy. Intellectual battles never end. They end when philosophy based on insight or direct perception begins. They come to an end with the awakening of consciousness.
Breath perception is the first step in the direction of spiritual attainments. It is a very important step leading to a flight of further steps. What is noteworthy in this connection is that it is not important as to how much we walk, but the direction towards which we are walking. The practitioner has to distinguish between what the right direction is and what is not. If he chose a wrong direction he will go astray and will never be able to achieve his aim. On the other hand even a single step in the right direction will be highly valuable and he will be able to complete his journey in a shorter time.
Breath perception brings thinking and reasoning to an end and trains the practitioner in the art of right perception. Right perception is the opposite of thinking and reasoning. It brings about a state of thoughtlessness. Sarira prekṣā or body perception is the second step towards self-realization. One may ask as to what the sense is in perceiving the body. What is to be seen within the body? These questions will subside once we have started perceiving the body. There is much to be perceived within the body. You may go on seeing and seeing and there will be no end to it. The physician examines the body in order to diagnose the disease. He has to examine the body very carefully. He feels the pulse of the patient and employs delicate instruments to examine the working of his body. It is after a thorough examination that he is in a position to diagnose the disease. Mere thinking and reasoning are no substitutes for a clinical examination of the patient. Meditation is also helpful in examining the inner working of the body. Instruments are also equally helpful. Meditation is a form of perception.
A rich man had employed a man to watch his premises in the night. One day the watchman came to his master and