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The poet who cannot help laughing at the prospect of a fish tormented by thirst in the midst of water, later writes. "All this happens for want of self-knowledge." All man's confusion, all his contrariety is possible only in a state of self-aversion. The individual whose gaze is turned inwards, changes his character through the practice of preksha dhyana, and is able to transform his personality. Incidents of change of character or personality-transformation often occur in the lives of sadhaks participating in a shivir. Many people achieve freedom from addiction by practising meditation there. Sometimes, a man accepts evils like drinking and smoking, so as not be out of fashion. Later, he gets so caught in the habit, that he cannot get out of it, even if he desires to do so. The participants of preksha dhyana shivirs, through inner inspiration and the impact of environment, make possible what appears to be impossible. They are able to dissolve their tensions and acquire the technique of living peacefully.. Until the state of introversion is strengthened through meditation, a change of character cannot take place. There is thus constant need for training and practice in the meditation
camps.
Q. What is the fundamental objective of preksha dhyana? In what direction and to what extent can a sadhak practising preksha dhyana progress?
Ans. The chief objective of preksha dhyana, is to make religion a way of life. Religion today appears to be impotent, the reason being the complete absence of its practice in the lives of religious people. Without practice, religion cannot influence life. In order to introduce religion in life, the practice of meditation is a must. It has been said in Isibhasium Sutra, that religion without meditation is like a body without the head. Meditation is the practical form of religion. It is in the practice of meditation that religion is activated in life. Until one enters meditation in
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