Transmutation of Personality through Preksha Meditation

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

Page 37

Ans. There are two ways of achieving concentration
- of mind-japa (reiteration of the deity's name) and dhyana (meditation). Man's mind is fickle. It does not stay at any one point for long. Japa is used for concentrating the mind on one object, which otherwise is confounded by many objects. Japa is simpler and easier than meditation. There is no special technique or practice required for doing japa. Any man can control the mind's wanderings by means of recitation of the deity's name. Many seed letters and incantatory terms are available for japa. Among these, 'Aum', 'harin', 'shrin', 'klin', etc. are seed letters (special vowels) and Arham, 'ai', 'si': 'a': 'u': 'sa:' etc. are spell words. In the Tantra-Shastra, the repetition of these has been portrayed in the form of versemeditation.
That the seed letters and spell words are invested with great power, is not disputed. Because special kinds of sound-waves are produced by the articulation of a word. These sound vibrations have a great impact upon the mind. This impact can be good or bad. If an abusive word is hurled at an individual, he suddenly gets excited. Similarly, the use of gentle words can turn an enemy into a friend. Such incidents continually occur in a man's life. Being sensible of the power of certain words, some people use them deliberately to gain a particular end. This leads to the conclusion that the sound vibrations have a direct impact upon a man's mind and conduct. In view of this, the question of denying the importance of japa does not arise.
Among the incantations employed for japa, 'Arham' has a powerful spell. It is made up of 'A', 'r', 'h' and the nasal 'um'. 'A' occupies an important position in the alphabet-at the head; the alphabet begins with 'A'. 'Aum' is a prominent incantatory term, and the first letter
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