________________
SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
Master says
Move with awareness, sit with awareness, eat with awareness and sleep with awareness, and you will not be bound by sin.
An awakened person does everything with full awareness. He does not act by compulsion, emotion or by way of reaction. He is fully aware of what he is doing. Aspirant is ordained to observe five 'Samitis' and three Guptis'. Three Gupti relate to keeping full control on mind, body and speech. Samiti is a distorted version of the word 'Smriti' or remembrance. Remembering to do things rightly and with full awareness is the meaning of Samiti. These Samitis relate to
(1) Awareness about movement (2) Remembering to speak with awareness. (3) Bringing food and eating with awareness (4) Awareness about equipments like pots, clothes, books etc. (5) Awareness. regarding disposal of excreta, urine etc.
As per Yoga Darshana, when tendencies toward worldly things get weakened and the mind becomes clear and pure like a gem and when the seeker, sought and the seeking become one, it is called Sampragyaata Samadhi or the peace. When all impressions are erased and the seeds for new action are totally annihilated, Asampragyaata Samaadhi or Nirbeeja (seedless) Samaadhi or peace is attained which means to attain ‘kaivalya' or enlightenment.
In Jain philosophy word Shukla Dhyaana has been used in place of Sampragyaata Samaadhi. The description of first two types of Shukla Dhyaana is similar to Sampragyaata Samaadhi and the latter two types are similar to Asampragyaata Samaadhi. Except for words, there is hardly any difference between the two.
Reflections (Bhavanaa) and Dhyaana
The main objective of Dhyaana and Samadhi is to come in a state of equanimity. In Jain system, Samayika has great importance which implies attaining of equanimity. Further there is mention of twelve 'Bhavanas' or reflections which an aspirant is asked to meditate upon. These are:116
(1)
Anitya or transitory nature of things and the changeless beneath the changing scenario.
