Preksha Dhyana Perception of Body

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

Page 9

(viii)
body-śarīra prekşā-.produces a more balanced equilibrium between the sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system which is ultimately responsible for the homeostasis in the body.
Improvement of physical health without the use of injurious drugs, though a valuable benefit is not the chief objective of meditation. It is a tool for awakening and developiag one's conscious reasoning and thereby modifying one's attitude and behaviour to be truly worthy of a human being.
Deep-level consciousness is an innate aspect of human wisdom and has an elevating effect on human personality. Unfortunately, the modern way of life has considerably weakened this ability and one has come to believe that he can function satisfactorily without awakening and activating the inherent deep-conscious abilities. But there can be no spiritual advancement without reaching the deepconscious abilities.
To become acquainted with one's own body is an essential medium of spiritual advancement and self-awareness. Perception of body is a technique of becoming acquainted not only with the gross physical body but also with the mysteries of the subtle (taijas) body and the supersubtle body (karma-śarīra). After this, it is not difficult for the practitioner to reach and be acquainted with his deep-level consciousness. On the other hand if one thinks that one could reach the spiritual self without properly understanding the significance of the flow of vital energy in different parts of the body, it would be a mere imaginary achievement.
Practice of perception of body is, thus, an essential step for acquiring not only physical goodness but psychical goodness also.