________________
and is drawn up after being filled with water. The bucket is emptied and again it goes into the well to fetch water. The trips of the bucket up and down produce sufficient water for man. Similarly, consciousness serves like a bucket for carrying vital energy to the brain.
It may be asked, how does consciousness move up and down and down and up? Now, how does the instrument for measuring blood pressure work? The column of mercury moves up from down below and it also moves down from above. This process continues as long as the mercury remains in place. Like the mercury, our vital energy, too, moves upward through sushumna, i.e., the central nervous system, to the brain. But until it is withdrawn from the external world, consciousness is not centred in the spinal cord and cannot become the carrier of energy.
The internal trip is a unique movement for awakening supernatural energy. It is a movement for the internalization of consciousness. Prolonged practice directs a sadhak to his inward nature, turns him away from outer phenomena. As long as fascination with the external does not come to an end, the direction of life cannot be changed. It is very necessary to be free from concern with the external. The moment this attachment is gone, the flow of energy becomes continuous, without any obstruction anywhere. The cessation of interruption means progress towards spirituality, joy and spontaneity. That is what the human mind thirsts for. A simple way of fulfilling this desire is the internal trip.
Jain Education International
136
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org