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What Is Prekṣã?
The word prekṣã is derived from the root thṣa, which means 'to see'. When the prefix 'pra' is added, it becomes pra+tkṣa-prekṣã, which means 'to perceive carefully and profoundly'1
Here, 'seeing' does not mean external vision, but careful concentration on subtle consciousness by mental insight. Prekṣa Dhyana is the system of meditation engaging one's mind fully in the perception of subtle internal and innate phenomena of consciousness.
1
Sampikkhae appagamappaenam2 (Skt. samprkseta ätmänamätmanã). This aphorism from the Jain canon Dasaveäliyam forms the basic principle for this system of meditation. It simply means: 'See you thyself'-Perceive and realize the most subtle aspects of consciousness by your conscious mind. Hence, "to see" is the fundamental principle of meditation. The name Prekṣā Dhyana was therefore assigned to the present technique; thus this technique is basically not concentration of 'thought' but concentration of 'perception'.
To know and to see are the characteristics of the consciousness. In its mundane state, being contaminated by Karmic matter, the faculty is not fully manifested, but it can be developed.
1. The terms vipasyana is synonymous to it. Both these terms have been commonly used in the Jain literature. The term prekṣā was chosen for this technique as 'vipasyana had already been current in Buddhist system.
2. Dasaveyaliya-cúlia, II/12
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