Preksha Dhyana Self Awareness by Relaxation

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

Page 35

of it. He sometimes admits the existence of misery, he suffers, he experiences unhappiness but he forgets so soon and so easily that he believes in its non-existence. All this is because of the delusion produced by turmoil. One is not aware of his suffering, his weakness, his impatience and his ignorance because he is deluded by the turmoil.
The first offensive in the war against the enemy is steadiness by relaxation, eliminating turmoil and agitation of the body. Keeping perfectly still, stopping all voluntary movements is an essential part of this exercise.
But this is just the beginning. Total relaxation, though essential, is not all. It is only 25 per cent of the exercise. The balance three-quarter part consists of forbearance and fearlesseness.
Forbearance
This virtue is a constituent of kayotsarg. It is the first of four main gates of self-realization. It means to bear with fortitude. It is an important component of Kayotsarg. Having stopped all voluntary movements and totally relaxed the muscles, the practitioner is now prepared to bear anything that happens. If there is pain in the limbs, he bears it stoically; if the body aches, he bears. If it is raining, let it rain. If there is a storm raging, let it rage. Some infliction may come from external environment and some from internal one. All are welcome. Endure, bear stoically and with fortitude, without flinching, without agitating and without disturbing the motionlessness of the body and self-awareness. Nothing to worry-this freedom from anxiety is also Kayotsarg. One who has not developed the virtue of forbearance cannot experience total relaxation. Slight bodyache and the tension returns, muscles contract and posture changes. A fly or a mosquito can disturb the motionless state of the body; the turmoil returns. Even a noise in the vicinity may cause the head to turn and encroach on the steadiness.
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