Preksha Dhyana Perception of Body

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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The different methods of prekşā (i.e. perception) include Svāsa-prekşā (perception of breathing). SarīraPrekşā (perception of body), Chaitanya-kendra-prekşå (perception of psychic centres), etc. All these are methods of ultimate transformation in inner consciousness. Here, there is no need to sermonize for adopting virtues and giving up evils. When one starts practising perception, one experiences himself that he is changing, that anger and fear are pacifying, that one is getting transformed into a righteous person.
Our series of Science of Living" include tracts on various facets of Prekşā-dhyāna. In the persept one, the reader will find an elaborate discussion on “Sarīra-prekşā" (perception of body). One could never reach the spiritual self without properly understanding the siginficance of the subtle vital energy flowing in the body, or the mysteries of the subtle and the most subtle bodies. It is, therefore, necessary first to become acquainted with the body as a medium of spiritual advancement. The "Perception of dody" is a practice of becoming acquainted with the body. During this practice, the sādhak concentrates his perception on the various parts of the body and perceives the events taking place inside it without any like or dislike. A great number of changes take place every moment throughout the body. The practitioner of sarīra-preksā realizes them, and comprehends the truth.
The intellectul man of the modern age seems to have lost his self-awareness. The more he is engrossed in his intellectual activites, the less he knows about the "self" and his body”. He fees tension but it would be difficult for him to actually locate it. In the present tract, we shall see how the technique of sarira-prekşå enables one to reach the subtlemost processes in the body, and helps him to regain his self-awareness. Benefits of Prekşā Dhyāna
Preksā may appear to mean different things to different people, because it contributes to increase physical, nervous as well as spiritual energies.
On physical level, it helps each bodily cell to revitalize itself: it facilitates digestion; it makes respiration moro