Preksha Dhyana Perception of Breathing

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

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sādhaka would, in due course, be able to perceive in advance the onslaught of rising passions, and thus will be prepared to nullify their attack by resorting to deep breathing. The rising passions would then subside. Thus, by blunting the sharpness of their attack, a sadhaka saves himself from being the victim of the dreadful urges and emotions.
The first step in this process is to regulate the rate of breathing by reducing the number of breaths per minute. Again, one must be quite clear about the importance of the practice of deep breathing. It is not a mere breathing exercise, but much more than that. As a breathing exercise, it does improve the physical well-being. Improvement of physical health or treatment (and prevention) of serious illnesses, though valuable contribution, is not the only or even the chief objective of meditational practice. Dirgha śvāsa prekṣā is the apparatus for regulating and controlling the bestial instincts, urges and passions. Acquisition of physical and mental well-being is a secondary benefit.
Even causal practice can bring down the rate of breathing from 15-17 to 8-10 per minute. Regular practice can further reduce the rate to 6, 4 or even 2 or 1 b.p.m. One can learn to remain for a long time apparently without breathing.
Breath is very precious and one must not undervalue it as a petty thing. If one becomes competent to control this valuable phenomenon, one will reach greater heights in due course.
In the field of spiritual pursuit, breath serves as the foundation on which the superstructure of sadhană can be built. Unless the foundation is strong, the super-structure cannot be stable.
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