Acharya Mahaprajna
The Daily Rising Kashmir
Transforming Habits
Verbal assertions that “I will not do such-and-such thing ” is not enough
If you are really willing to change your habits and to change your nature, then it is necessary to understand the procedure that will bring about that change. There is great scope for inner transformation within the ambit of Preksha Meditation. We have actually experienced the efficacy of this procedure. We have seen angry people change. We have seen transformation in those who had instincts of fear and ego. But this change could be seen only after the complete course of the procedure was followed.
The process of hypnosis is actually a very fruitful method for altering one's nature. A man's hand is in perfectly good condition. Hypnotize him and tell him that your hand is filled with blisters. Those blisters will actually erupt. Our physical body works according to our suggestions and feelings, and our brain also supports it.
The third state is sleeping. Suggesting to someone who is in sound sleep is also an important practice. A small child can neither practice meditation nor can do any Anupreksha. If his habits are not good and we want to change those habits, a good practice is to repeatedly ask him to change while he is asleep. His brain will catch those suggestions even when he is asleep. Today, some scientific experiments are being carried out teaching lessons to students while they are asleep. A practitioner of Preksha meditation knows that one should practice autosuggestion about 5-10 minutes before going to sleep. As he keeps on repeating these suggestions, he may fall asleep. These suggestions will actually be fruitful, vital and successful. They will work right through the night and will trigger change. The gross consciousness stops working when we are asleep. Only the subtle consciousness is active during that period. Hence a resolve is easily grasped in sleep. Many schools have experimented the technique of “suggest-ology”, which has been very effective for students and has accomplished desired results.
The purport of the above is that the suggestions given when we are active or unstable do not reach the sub-conscious mind. In other words, we can say that the vibrations produced by the suggestions are not strong enough to enter the inner world, because instability obstructs and weakens those vibrations. Whereas, the suggestions that are given in stable states like in Kayotsarg, Sammohan (hypnosis) and sleep are grasped by our consciousness because we are completely relaxed in these states.
In order to be successful, we can even use the vital force of passions. Passions are both good and bad. Someone inquired, "What does the force of passion do?" The answer given was, "It gives birth to faith in religion." The word 'samveg' means the right kind of momentum. No great work can be accomplished without momentum. Vibrations, too, can be produced only by one who has momentum. The effect of mantras will also be seen only when chanted with force. A mere reading without any force would not yield any result. Whatever is resolved should be resolved passionately, and forcefully, not in loose terms. The body may be relaxed, but if it is supported by the force of mind and speech, you can fulfill your resolve successfully.
A person attends camps to practice meditation and also wants to change himself. However, unless and until he understands the complete procedure, he cannot achieve anything. The perception of breath, etc. is procedures to effect transformations, but it is essential to know how to practice them and how these can yield results. Another fact to be considered is - do not attempt to make many changes at a time. Take up only one subject. If you mix them up like a jumble, you will also end up jumbled. If you feel that some habit is annoying you, consider only this habit, focus only on that, and be strongly determined to change it. Keep on autosuggesting about that only and get completely identified with it. Whatever qualities you want to cultivate in yourself, make a clear mental image of them and develop oneness with them. That power or quality will then automatically manifest within you.
Making repudiations, renouncing some things or adopting verbal resolutions will not alter one's nature. The mere vocal promise of “I will not do such-and-such act” is not enough. For transformation, it is necessary to go through the complete procedure and finish the course. Otherwise status quo would remain. In order to change something or to cultivate good habits, it is necessary to understand and properly implement the technique of transformation.
Today, neuroscience has proved the fact that we can bring about alterations in our old habits and transform them into new ones through our own efforts. But to do so, we have to follow the complete procedure of transformation. Hence, while practicing Preksha meditation, you must also comprehend the process of transformation properly. One who understands the technique thoroughly will definitely be able to change his habits.