Transmutation of Personality through Preksha Meditation

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 32

remarkably beautiful. In keeping those flowers fresh and blooming for ever, the indispensability of anuvrat in the background of preksha cannot be denied.
Q. Just as the observance of anuvrat is necessary for the practice of preksha meditation, is not preksha dhyana a requisite for the realisation of anuvrat in one's life?
Ans. Since anuvrat and preksha have been recognised as being complementary to each other, how can an anuvrati make any progress towards his goal without practising preksha dhyana? This question relates, not only to the present time, but to the beginning of the anuvrat era. At that time, many intelligent people asked, "We may accept the anuvrat pledges, but how do we realize them? How to fulfil them?" The raising of such questions with regard to the taking of pledges is not unnatural either, because sadhana is required to fulfil every pledge. Such sadhana may bear fruit in a short time or one may have to wait for a long time for success. However that may be, the necessity of deep commitment and continuity of practice cannot be ignored. Constant practice matures early. From this point of view, in order to make anuvrat a natural part of one's life, the practice of preksha dhyana is very necessary. Sometime ago, Shri Ratan Lal Joshi, the former Editor of Hindusthan, went to America and talked about anuvrat there. Many Americans who found it interesting, said, "The anuvrat code of conduct is quite good, very useful, but how about its practice?" In this context, it becomes very clear that the practice is the chief factor in any talk of sadhana. In the absence of practice, no sadhana can really mature. We must never forget that practice is essential for the fulfilment of a pledge.
A total view of the undertaking of fasts or pledges, their observance and their consummation reveals a great
17