Preksha Dhyana Perception of Breathing

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

Page 41

3. Continuing the slow, deep and rhythmic breath, shift your attention from the navel and focus it inside the nostrils, at the junction where the two nostrils meet. Let the perception of breathing fill your entire mind. Be fully aware of each and every breath. Fix your consciousness totally on the process of respiration so that each and every inhalation and exhalation is perceived.
4. Do not permit yourself to be distracted, but if distraction does occur, return your attention to the breath. If the distraction is due to a thought, do not try to dismiss it, but observe it patiently and calmly untii it goes away.
. 5. If the distraction is frequent, hold your breath for a while without causing discomfort
6. Maintain the continuity of awareness throughout the session.
B. Perception of Alternate Breathing
Throughout our daily experience we encounter manifestation and co-existence of two opposing principles such as unity and multiplicity, creation and destruction, positive and negative, hot and cold. Normally the opposing forces are in equilibrium. In our body also there is normally an equilibrium between the two opposite components of the autonomic nervous system -sympathetic and parasympathetic. For optimum health conditions (called homeotasis), a balanced equilibrium must be maintained.
For a practitioner of meditation, the technique of alternate breathing and its perception is not only a valuable means of maintaining homeostasis, but also an instrument of steadying and controlling the wandering mind.
The exercise is similar to the perception of deep breathing, but is more effective in developing concentration. As in the previous exercise total awareness of the rhythm of breathing is essential
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