27.09.2010 ►Harrow ►Preksha Meditation at Belmont Community Hall

By Mrs Pragna Damani

"Ladies Keep Fit Group" meets regularly at Belmont Community Hall in Harrow for physical exercises every Tuesday evening for one hour. On Tuesday 27th September 2011, Samani Prasanna Pragya and Samani Vikas Pragya from Jain Vishva Bharati London were invited to teach the members a new form of mental exercise called Preksha Meditation.

Samani Prasanna Pragya gave a brief introduction of the history of this type of meditation which started in 1970. Preksha Meditation is the result of inspiration and efforts of Late Acharya Tulsi and Late Acharya Mahapragya. Acharya Mahapragya researched and experimented for two decades to rediscover the style of meditation which was practised by Lord Mahavir. Samaniji explained that preksha means to "perceive carefully" and "profoundly". Here, "seeing" does not mean external vision, but careful concentration on subtle consciousness by mental insight.

Samani Prasanna Pragya then explained the main purpose of the practice of Prekhsa Meditation is to purify the mental state. Mind is constantly choked by contaminating urges such as emotions and passions which hamper the flow of wisdom. These hurdles must first be removed and once the mind is cleansed, peace of mind automatically surfaces. Balance of mind, equanimity and the state of well-being are also experienced simultaneously.

Both the samanijis then conducted a practical session of Preksha Meditation in the following order:

Mahaprana Dhvani:

All the participants were asked to sit in a comfortable position and to be totally relaxed. The meditation session started with the recitation of Mahaprana Dhvani. This is unique sound that activates the brain and increases the power of concentration.

Aphorism of the Aim:

All the participants took a resolution for the meditation which is as follows; "I am practising Preksha Meditation for the purification of my psyche"

Kayotsarga:

Kayotsarga is total relaxation with self - awareness. The participants were instructed on how to relax their body completely from head to toe.

Antaryatra:

Antaryatra means internal trip. Exertion in systematic meditational discipline needs a good deal of energy and it is, therefore, essential to generate it. The spinal cord is an essential part of central nervous system. Its bottom end is in the vicinity of Shakti Kendra (Centre of Energy). In the practice of internal trip, the conscious mind travels via the spinal cord from Centre of Energy to Centre of Knowledge which is at the top of the head.   This internal trip of the conscious mind is repeated several times, resulting in an increased flow of vital energy upwards. Nervous system is an essential and very important component for the functioning of conscious activities. The spinal cord and the brain are the commanding stations of the entire system.

Dirgha Shvasa Preksha:

This is the perception of deep breathing. Breathing is essential for metabolic function of the body. It is also linked with the conscious mind. Since mind is ever restless, it is extremely difficult to steady the wandering mind directly. An efficient and easy way to control mental activity is concentrated perception of breath. Complete exhalation and deep inhalation regulates the rate of breathing.

Jyoti Kendra Preksha:

This is the perception of the Centre of Enlightenment. This included visualisation of white colour on the centre of the forehead. The purpose of this exercise is to control anger and passions.

Lesya Dhyana:

This is the perception of psychic colours. It is known that the body is surrounded by a circle of light called "aura". In this exercise colour visualisation on different psychic centres was carried out to experiment different experiences. Colours profoundly affect our personality.

The meditation session was followed by two melodious bhajans by Samani Vikas Pragyaji. The event was very successful and about forty five people from various religious backgrounds attended.