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modern scientific concepts. We 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.
The different methods of preksha (i.e. perception) include shuās-prekshā (perception of breathing), shartr prekshā (perception of body), chaitany-kendr-prekshā (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 one is geting transformed into a frighteous person.'
Our series on "Science of Living" includes tracts on varous facets of Prakshấ-dhyāna.
In this booklet, we have extensive discussion regarding Kayotsarg i.e. total relaxation of the body accompanied by full awareness of the real self. What is relaxation? How does it differ from meditation? Can relaxation become medi. tation? What is the raison d'etre of relaxation? What benefits could be derived from relaxation? It is necessary to know the answers to these questions both with a scientific and philosophical background.
Relaxation is a pre-condition of meditational exercise. It can be called the first phase of meditation. To steady the mind, one must first suspend all voluntary motion of the body, observe complete silence and slow down the rate of respiration. These are essential preconditions of meditation. When the body attains and maintains a motionless state, and the mental process of speech is also halted, mental concentration and meditation will naturally follow.
Relaxation plays an important role in treatment of physical and mental diseases. When a bone is broken, the
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