Preksha Dhyana: Perception Of Breathing: [0.1] Publisher's Note

In publishing this booklet, it is hoped to bring to the reader, in simple language, some of the truths, already known to the ancient philosophies, and now known to modern science.

In this age of technology, industrialisation and over-urbanisation, we are constantly subjected to tremendous stresses and tensions. These, in turn, produce psychosomatic diseases like hypertension, insomnia, and various types of heart diseases. In desperation, people take to drinking and dangerous drugs which give temporary relief, but create more serious problems. The remedy does not lie in drugs or fantasy, but in the process of catharsis and development of the inherent powers.

Philosophy teaches us to realize that our existence is functioning in duality, i.e. there is a spiritual self within a physical body. Science is also proving that life's processes for man lie almost wholly within himself and are amenable to control. The control has to be exercised by the power of the spiritual self, and that inherent potency can be developed by knowing how to live properly, which includes eating, drinking and breathing properly as well as thinking properly.

Prekṣā dhyāna is a technique of meditation for attitudinal change, behavioural modification and integrated development of personality. It is based on the wisdom of ancient philosophy and has been formulated in terms of modern scientific concepts. We hope that the synthesis of the ancient wisdom and the modern scientific knowledge would help us in achieving the blissful aim of establishing amity, peace and happiness in world by eradicating the bestial urges such as cruelty, retaliation and hate.

The different methods of prekṣā (i.e. perception) include śvāsa-prekṣā (perception of breathing), śarīra-prekṣā (perception of body), chaitanyakendra-prekṣā (perception of psychic centres), etc. All these are methods of ultimate transformation in inner consciousness. Here, there is no need to sermonize for adopting virtues and giving up evils. When one starts practising perception, one experiences himself that he is changing, that anger and fear are pacifying, that greed and deceit are deteriorating, that one is getting transformed into a 'righteous' person.

Our series on "Science of Living" includes tracts on various facets of prekṣā dhyāna. In the present one, the reader will find an elaborate discussion on śvāsa-prekṣā (perception of breathing). It goes without saying that breathing and vital energy (prāṇa) are the prime factors of our life, and hence the first step to unlock the latent energies within us would be to develop the prāṇa through proper regulation of breathing. The method of śvāsa-prekṣā is thus a vital medium for making life energetic, which is very necessary for an aspirant of spiritual development. He aspires to make his mind ever vigilant. The only way to achieve this is to bring about a vital change in the mode of living which ultimately requires a change in the mode of breathing Without properly regulating the process of breathing, one could hope of little progress in his sādhanā.

Prekṣā may appear to mean different things to different people because it contributes to increase physical, nervous as well as spiritual energies.

On physical level, it helps each bodily cell to revitalize itself, and facilitates digestion; it makes respiration more efficient and improves circulation and quality of blood.

On mental level, it proves to be an applied method to train the mind to concentrate; it offers a way to treat serious psychosomatic illnesses without drugs; it is an efficient tool for ending addiction and other bad habits; it reveals to one the mysteries of the mind by the realization and the real experience of the inner consciousness which includes the subconscious and the unconscious.

On the emotional level, the strengthening of conscious reasoning controls reaction to environmental conditions, situations, and behaviour of others; harmonization of the functioning of nervous and endocrine system results in control and eradication of psychological distortions.

On spiritual level, regulation of blood-chemistry through proper synthesization of neuro-endocrinal secretions, and dispassionate internal vibrations lead one to attain the power to control the mind and to become free from the effects of external forces compelling one to lose equanimity.

Prekṣā dhyāna can be learnt and practised by anybody without distinction of caste, colour, country and creed. There is no communal or theological bias, nor does it insist on any particular theological belief.

Though the process is not very difficult to learn and practise, it is essential to learn the technique through experienced and trained teachers. Normally a ten-day retreat (training camp) is a suitable means to acquire proper training.

During the last ten years, more than 60 training camps have been organised and more than 7000 persons have learnt this technique. Amongst them are scientists, doctors, engineers, professors, teachers, government servants and other intelligentsia, besides the general public. Police Department, Education Department and others have taken part in the special courses organised by Tulsi Adhyatma Nidam. More such courses are being planned for different disciplines, professions and work areas. Over and above those who have been trained in these camps, thousands others have practised prekṣā dhyāna and have been benefited theory. While many of them have restored their physical health, hundreds others have been cured of mental tensions, hypertension and other psychosomatic diseases.

For all these, we are grateful to Yugapradhāna Āchārya Shrī Tulsī and his successor-designate Yuvāchārya Shrī Mahāpraña for their constant guidance and efforts in this direction. These two great spiritual saints have truly blessed the entire human race with the boon of prekṣā dhyāna, and we are confident that all and sundry will be benefited by learning and practising this universal and easy-to-learn technique of prekṣā dhyāna.

Three permanent training centres have been established viz. 1. Tulsi Adhyatma Nidam at Jain Vishva Bharti, Ladnun (Rajasthan), 2. Adhyatma Sadhana Kendra at Mehrauli, New Delhi, and 3. Tulsi Sadhna Shikhar at Rajsamand (Rajasthan).

2 Octotber 1989

JETHALAL S. ZAVERI
Advisor
Tulsi Adhyatma Nidam
Jain Vishva Bharti
Ladnun