Preksha Dhyana Perception of Psychic Colours

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

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moods and desires to harm his supposed enemy. If he comes face to face with the opponent, his anger becomes fury. Sometimes a mere memory of the 'enemy' is enough to produce agitation of evil thoughts. All these reactions will continue till he learns and practises lesya dhyana. The three meritorious lesyā—taijasa, padma and śukla-are of three auspicious bright colours-red, yellow and white respectively. Perception of these colours curbs the evil urges and transmutes the emotional state of a person. Evil thoughts (of enmity, hate etc.) will be replaced by good ones (of friendship, love etc.) And, thus, internal purification of the mental state will radiate beneficial waves, affecting the environment.
Perception of taijasa leśyā and padma leśyā is a very powerful means of catharsis of evil emotions. To be safe from the onslaught of evil from outside, the practice of the perception of colour of sukla lesya is recommended. The purpose is to create an impenetrable armour which will not permit the ingress of evil thoughts in our mind. The strong protective cover fabricated by śukla leśyā saves us from external assaults, while the one made by taijasa and padma lesyās saves us from internal turmoil. Once the double protection shield is there, waves of good and benign thoughts only will be produced. These will help and not hinder our spiritual progress. Indeed, lesya itself is not tranquillity, but perception of psychic colours (lesya dhyāna) helps us to reach our goal of tranquillity.
Psycho-therapy
Colour affects us both physiologically as well as psychologically. Colour-therapy is used to cure somatic illnesses and mental imbalance. Colour is also useful for modifying our modes and behaviour. Perception of psychic colours (lesya dhyāna) is an efficient psychotherapy for remedying spiritual incompleteness and stupor and reducing inner discord.
1. See chapter II.
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