________________
without. The state of emotions, in particular, may have a profound and at times decisive effect.
From the most ancient times men have sought to change their perceptions of the world and themselves deliberately altering their thoughts, expectation and creed in an effort to expand their sense of awareness. Enlightenment and knowledge lead to the control of emotions and passions by the reasoning mind.
In the process of Sharira-Prekshā, the mind's eye is focussed on the internal complex of activities. Meditation aims to change perceptions in such a way that the mind can transcend the limitation of the physical brain. William James, the psychologist, says "Our normal wakingalertness is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the flimsiest of screens, there lie many potential forms of consciousness entirely different. Prekshā leads to what lies beyond the normal waking alertness.
Constant and regular practice of Sharīra-Prekshā and Swās-Prekshā improves the perceptive efficiency of the mind, and in due course subtle internal phenomena of life processes are experienced and ultimately regulated.
Finally, whatever be the object, perception in Prekshā meditation must be uncontaminated by the emotion of like and distike. During the practice of Prekshā meditation, the feelings of pleasure or pain should not be allowed to affect the mental attitude. One should maintain a strictly neutral attitude towards both, while at the same time keeping them under close mental surveillance.
The contaminating emotions viz. pleasure, pain, fear, hatred, etc. are produced by the supine state of our reasoning mind. The aim of Prekshā meditation is to awaken the reasoning mind and to keep it awake and constantly vigilant.
-:0:
Genius is one percent inspiration perspiration.
and ninety-nine percent
-Edison
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
