Preksha Dhyana Self Awareness by Relaxation

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

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many difficulties. In this age of overactivity, conscious relaxation is a panacea for many maladies and problems. Overactivity and unbroken restlessness produce mental upsets and somatic diseases. The only safe remedy is conscious relaxation and deliberate suspension of all bodily move
ments.
Remedy for Psychosomatic Diseases
Today eminent doctors-specialists and general practitioners alike-have realised that relaxation is a powerful tool both for healing and maintaining good health. Irrefutable scientific proofs, now available, show that consciously achieved total relaxation can cure and prevent any number of diseases which are caused by tension and stress. Hypertension (chronic high blood-pressure), heart-attacks, nervous break-downs, peptic ulcers are all caused by mental tensions.
Kayotsarg-Relaxation literally means 'abandonment of the body coupled with high degree of conscious awareness.' In practice, it is conscious suspension of all gross movements of the body resulting in negligible nerve current, demagnetisation and total relaxation of the skeletal muscles and drastic reduction of metabolic activities. This physical condition results in relieving mental tensions also. Muscular relaxation is always the first step to health and its importance cannot be overemphasized.
Precondition of Meditation
Kayotsarg is an esential pre-requisite for all types of meditation. Meditation is a deliberate mental exercise for steadying and concentrating the mind either in perception or thought. But before the mind can be steadied, the body has to be kept absolutely still and motionless, and this can only be done by the release of tensions by relaxation.
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