Self Awareness Through Meditation

Author(s): Ranjitsingh Kumat
Publisher: Ranjitsingh Kumat

Page 95

SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
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lust and many a time we feel helpless when these emotions take control over us. Our reactions are guided by past conditioning and stored complexes and we cannot do much unless we master the technique of reaching the subconscious mind.
Great saints have said “Know thyself”. It implies going deep to the mental thought process and to be aware of what is going on in the mind. How do we do that?
Pratikraman (Introspection or Retreat)
In, Jainism, there is a tradition of having Pratikraman (introspection or retreat) every morning and evening. It is prescribed for every follower, whether saint or a lay man. This consists of recalling and making repentance for whatever wrong has been committed in any action or thought. Action and thoughts of the day and night are respectively evaluated in the evening and in the morning. It is easier to recall and evaluate every day when the memory is vivid. A full consideration of the propriety of one's action will check one from doing what is wrong and strengthen one in performing the right action. This strengthens the thought process, which is the source of our actions. If, on the other hand, there is no introspection, the desire to get pleasure for the sense organs gets the better of our pure mind and consequently all physical actions are done under its unwholesome influence. In the absence of regular introspection, many actions done in the past tend to be forgotten. Small matters that have not left any deep scar are forgotten and only gross matters are evaluated and examined. This makes mind gross which in turn makes it incapable of knowing its subtle sensations. Therefore, practice of introspection in the morning and evening everyday is necessary. If introspection is done at a quiet place with pure mind without any prevarication, the depths of mind are reached and it is definitely beneficial. But over the centuries and by tradition the system of introspection has become a mere ritual. No means are available to reach the deep recesses of mind and as a result only the superficial mind is cleansed.
Vipassana
'Vipassana' literally means to see or observe things in the true perspective. ‘Passana' mean to see or observe and 'Vi' means in a special manner. So “Vipassana' means to see in a special manner, that is, with care and attention. Vipassana is the technique of introspection and self-observation—the