Jeevan Vigyan - 8: Lesson-19 : Preksha Dhyan : Chaitanya Kendra

PRACTISING PREKSHA

The practice of PREKSHA is of prime importance in the context of JEEVAN VIGYAN. The term PREKSHA has been derived from the Sanskrit root PRE + EKSH which means "to go deep and see the same carefully". Perception (preksha) forms the very basis of meditation (dhyan). A visual is very important to form a concentrate and deep impression. That is why this practice has been named preksha dhyan.

Our soul is reflected in our consciousness. We use consciousness in two ways: first, to see or perceive; secondly, to know. Perceiving is called as darshan (philosophy) and knowing is called Knowledge (gyan).

In the Indian tradition. Darshan is deployed to visualize the truth. Analysis of truth on the basis of one's experience is called knowledge. But it is not easy to perceive and know the truth. Infatuation or attachment does not let us see or know something or someone in a detached manner. Our likes and dislikes, our feelings of friendship and enmity, and high and low come in our way of darshan and gyan. Such impediments in the path of darshan and gyan are known as DARSHANA-VARAN AND   GYANAVARNIYA. These covering layers on our darshan and gyan are of our own doing. Due to this very illusion, we remain in the fold of infatuation. Neither are we able to see (darshan) nor can we know (gyan) the reality. When we are able to see and know, this state is known as the state of consciousness. The aim of our life should be to attain this state and remain there. Some people realize this faculty by means of sadhana. Those who are unable to do, should try to achieve this state through the medium of shraddha (devotion).

Since time immemorial Indian philosophers have laid emphasis on the importance of CHAITANYA KENDRAS (centres of consciousness). In olden times, scholars and sages used to concentrate on these centres for the formulation of deep thought processes and development of personality. This helped them to develop their extra sensory perception and powers of determination. In the present age, not only the philosophers but scientists and doctors have also now acknowledged the important role played by these centres. According to modern scientific findings, the two chief regulatory and coordinating agents of human body are the nervous system and endocrine gland system. These two regulate and coordinate all other sub-systems of the body. There is a unique coordination between these two main systems. They together regulate all other activities of the body. Relationship of these two systems is so close that organs coming under nervous system and the (endocrine system) are now being acknowledged as an independent system. This new system has been named as NEURO-ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. Internal glands system manifests its effectiveness through hormone secretions. These hormones not only participate in each and every physical activity but they also profoundly influence mental conditions, nature and behaviour of man. These hormones are the chief source of powerful and motivating forces governing man's inner urges, excitements, inclination and passions. Inclinations lead to desires and desires in turn force a person to adopt an inclination to fulfil them. Love, hate, and fear etc. are the urges created by secretions released by certain glands.

The misconception that mind is the source of conscious force and all emotions persisted for a very long period. Science of internal secretion of glands has now proved that emotional excitement, and urge, inclinations and passions are manifestation of the internal secretion of glands. In order to effect changes in the method of secretion of various glands, preksha of different chaitanya kendras proves helpful. When we exercise preksha dhyan on chaitanya kendras or on their connected gland system, that particular center is influenced by our immaculate consciousness. The secretions of the gland system are also transformed. This purifies our inclinations. Purity of inclination cleanses our thought and behaviour.

In this chapter, under the fifth stage of the darshan kendra preksha, along with the locations of these centres, details of the connected glands are also given. These names will indicate which preksha is connected with which particular center and gland. A detailed description of effects of different gland-systems would be available in the pages where the preksha of the connected centres has been discussed.

After chaitanya kendra preksha is adopted, one's behaviour undergoes involuntary changes. Then there is no necessity of saying. "Be like this or that. Be religious minded. Shun Selfishness. Deliver yourself from fear, jealousy etc." To say so is like sermonizing. Lectures are not effective. If any one goes on exercising preksha according to the chaitanya kendras, he would realize that changes occur on their own.

In Jeevan Vigyan, along with the chaitanya kendra preksha, one is also taught to concentrate on colours of various chaitanya kendras. Let us understand its importance also. When the universe becomes the object of our eyes, two factors emerge clearly. First, the matter (padartha) which is spread throughout the universe and is within us also. Second is the one who sees (perceives) and knows the padartha before him. By perceiving it, the universe becomes the subject of gyan. Between the two, (the padartha and the one who sees it) there is another element which illuminates the padartha. In the absence of illumination, one cannot see the padartha or matter. The padartha may easily be seen, and this knowledge may become gyan, adequate illumination is also desirable. Energy currents are expressed through the medium of colours. When the rays of light is passed through a three dimensional lens, the seven colours become visible.

When preksha is being exercised, concentration upon meditation of illuminating colours helps in speedy transformation of the connected gland.

DESCRIPTION OF CENTRES OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CHAITANYA KENDRAS)

In the syllabus of this class, the undermentioned chaitanya kendras are specified for carrying out the exercise of preksha dhyan:

1. Prana kendra (at the nose-tip)
2. Darshan kendra (between the two eyebrows)
3. Jyoti kendra (center of forehead).

Exercises of preksha dhyan at prana kendra and jyoti kendra are being carried out for the last six classes. These two exercises will continue in this class also. We will now learn the procedure of darshan kendra preksha.

PROCEDURE FOR DARSHAN KENDRA PREKSHA

This exercise is to be completed in 5 stages (steps):

1. Select one of the following asanas—Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana in which one can sit comfortably.
2. Close your eyes gently. Both hands are to rest near the navel in the brahma mudra. Left palm is to be on the lower side. Right palm should be on the top. Both thumbs should touch each other.
3. Concentrate your mind between the two eyebrows. Take your mind deep inside yourself. Feel all the throbbing s occurring there. Carry out the preksha with deep concentration and full alertness. Every occurrence, like sensitivity, vibration, throbbing etc. must be carefully studied by the one who is doing the preksha. He should not add any thought of his own. As one tried to see in the dark with the help of a torch, the mind should be able to see deep inside the darshan kendra, right unto the spinal cord and feel all occurrences.
4. Visualize the projection of safron colour, symbolizing the colour of sun-rays. Saffron colour is acknowledged to be the most important factor in awakening the Inner Eye-sight. Therefore, during this process this auto-suggestion should also be given. "The Inner Eye-sight is awakening". The correct location of darshan kendra is between the two eyebrows. Two inches under the skin is the location of Pituitary Gland. Hence vibration from deep inside are felt.
5. Sensitivity of vibration experienced may be pleasant or otherwise. But one must avoid entangling with right or wrong. Remaining alive to the present, one should go on doing the preksha. Sometimes these vibrations are so pleasant that sadhaka does not like to break away from these and he goes on concentrating. Concentration at this spot may also give the feeling of a tension or pressure of some kind being exerted. In that case, the teacher must ask the Sadhakas to visualize the waves of white colour at the spot of the Jyoti kendra.

EXERCISE

1. What is meant by the term preksha dhyan? What is its importance in one's life?
2. Describe all the five steps of the darshan kendra preksha.