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hope that the synthesis of the ancient wisdom and the modern scientific knowledge would help us in achieving the blissful aim of establishing amity, peace and happiness in the world by eradicating the bestial urges such as cruelty, retaliation and hate.
1. The different methods of prekṣā (i.e. perception) include śvāsa-preksā (perception of breathing), sarira- preksā (perception of body), caitanya kendra-prekşā (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 greed and deceit are deteriorating, that one is getting transformed into a ‘righteous' person.
Our series “Science of Living” includes tracts on various facets of preksā dhyāna. In the present one, the reader will find an elaborate discussion on śvāsa-preksā (perception of breathing). It goes without saying that breathing and vital energy (prāna) are the prime factors of our life, and hence the first step to unlock the latent energies within us would be to develop the prāna through proper regulation of breathing. The method of śvāsaprekṣā is thus a vital medium for making life energetic, which is very necessary for an aspirant of spiritual development. He aspires to make his mind ever vigilant. The only way to achieve this is to bring about a vital change in the mode of living which ultimately requires a change in the mode of breathing. Without properly regulating the process of breathing, one could hope of little progress in his sādhanā.
Benefits of Prekṣā Dhyāna
Prekṣā 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, and facilitates digestion; it make respiration more efficient and improves circulation and quality of blood.
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