Preksa Dhyana - Theory And Practice: [02.23] Philosophical Basis of Contemplation and Autosuggestion

Concentration of thought, contemplation and autosugges­tion is not excluded as a technique of meditation from the purview of Preksa Meditation. In fact, it is considered as an important means of realizing the Truth. Thoughts are, no doubt, unproduc­tive when the mind keeps on wandering and does not concentrate on a single theme. But concentrated profound thinking can result in discovering and establishing important philosophical as well as scientific doctrines and principles. Process of channelized deep thinking has always been a powerful means of discovering various facets of Reality. In Jaina literature, it is called 'Vichay Dhyana' i.e. thought-oriented or conceptual meditation. With a wandering mind, thoughts are scattered; when the mental faculty is con­centrated and channelized in a single thought-process, it becomes meditation. Thus concentration of perception and concentration of thought - both qualify as valuable techniques of meditation.Whenever the former technique is used for meditation, thought is, undoubtedly, considered a distraction and is banished. But when thoughts are channelized and concentrated on a single theme, they comprise an exercise in meditation.