________________
development of integrated personality. Perception of psychic colours (leśyā dhyāna) is the means of achieving it.
Chemical Transfomation
Devout austerities, practice of Yoga and meditationall aim at internal chemical transformations. Indulgence in rich, spicy or high energy foods results in production and accumulation of toxic chemicals which, in turn, vitiate the mental states and kindle the passions. Eating only fatless, tasteless, unsweetened food; missing a meal; fasting for one day or more days-all these external disciplining and dieting bring about internal changes in the body metabolism. Similarly, body-postures, controlled breathing and other Yogic exercises also change the body chemistry. Confession and penance, humbleness, scriptural studies etc., are internal austerities. Cleansing streams of expiation wash and purify the internal distortions. Humbleness counteracts the evil effects of arrogance and haughtiness. All these changes are produced by chemical transmutation within the body, as we shall see later.
Transmutation of leśyā
Practice of meditation, however, is the most powerful of all the above practices which produce internal chemical transmutation. Perception of psychiccentres (caitanya-kendraprekṣā) and perception of psychic colours (leśyā dhyāna) produce astonishing results. The change is more profound and radical because there is a fundamental change in inner structure of emotions and leśyā. As shown before, one's indulgence in evil actions attracts and assimilates contaminating matter (karma), which continue to reinforce the field of kaşāya. In due course, when the karma comes to fruition and is ready to produce the result, it re-emerges from the internal field in the form of chemical forces and radiations, stimulates specific endocrine glands and ultimately produces urges and
30
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
