XXII Mind and Life Conference
Scientific Study of the Effect of Jain Contemplative Practices (JCP) on Human Biology and Behaviour
1. Background:
a) History and Tradition of JCP - Preksha Meditation System (PMS)The JCP date back to Lord Rishabh the first Tirthankara, while Lord Mahavira (599/527 BC) is believed to be the profounder of the prevalent JCP. Acharya Mahapragya developed the Preksha Meditation System (PMS) after a thorough research in the Agams, the most ancient canonical literature.
(b) Metaphysical Basis:
In Jain Metaphysics every living organism (Jiva) consists of two entities - soul and body. There are three types of body:
- The subtlemost called Karma body,
- The subtle body called Taijas body,
- The gross physical body.
The Taijas body is a link between Karma and gross body. Karma is very special type of particles or energy which gets bound with the soul. A systematic practise of PMS is proved to bring about the change in attitudes and behaviour.
2. Preksha Meditation System:
Step1. Preconditions (sine qua non):
- Secluded place
- Proper body posture and hand posture
- Steadiness of body
- Inner silence: relaxation of vocal chords
Step 2. Recitation of Mantra: Creation of protective shield of energy fields around the body
Step 3. Aim and resolve
Step 4. Relaxation with self-awareness: each and every part of the body.
Step 5. Internal journey of psyche (chitta) in the spinal cord to canalize vital energy (prana) upwards upto the upper part of the brain..
Step 6. Preksha Meditation:
A. Perception of breathing:
1. Prolonged conscious breathing
2. Breathing through alternate nostrilsB. Perception of body - subtle vibrations of prana (vital energy)C. Perception of psychic centres (Chaitanya Kendra)
D. Perception of psychic colours (Leshya dhyana)
E. Perception of thoughts
Step 7. Contemplation with Auto-suggestions
Auxiliary Exercises:
- Yogic Exercises
- Breathing Exercises
- Recitation of Mantr
3. Process of self-transmutation by reversing the vicious circle of Karmic bondage:
- Karmic bondage results in karmic fruition.
- Giving rise to subtle karmic expression i.e. the primal drives called adhyavasaya
- Giving message of attachment or aversion to the link body
- Which, with the help of psychic colour vibration called leshya effect the psyche, chitta a state of consciousness subtler than mind (manas)
- Giving rise to urges and impulses called bhava.
- Which, with the help of prana (vital energy) result in arousal of destructive emotions in the form of passions (kashaya) like anger, conceit, deceit, greed and quasi-passions (nokasayas) like fear etc.
- The prana flows in breathing is effected which is made faster and shallower
- The prana qua breath communicates with the prana qua mind, speech, and body (CNS)
4. In reversal
- Subsidence cum elimination of karma replaces karmic fruition
- Purification of adhyavasayas
- Message of equanimity - free from attachment and aversion
- Benevolent leshya
- Purification of chitta
- Purification of bhava
- Prana inhibits passions and quasi-passions and stimulates positive emotions
- Breath becomes slower
- Activities of mind, speech and body becomes positive
- The whole process culminates in inhibition of new influx of karma
- Thus facilitating deeper practice of PMS and the vicious circle is reversed.
I would like to highlight the unique practices of:
- Perception of psychic colours at psychic centres
- Contemplation with auto-suggestion (anupreksha)
- Relaxation with self-awareness (kayotsarg)
5. Recent Success Stories:
- PMS has been proved to be very effective in the field of education. There are ample empirical evidences involving measurements through EEG, EMG, ECG etc. which show that the overall development of the emotional, mental and physical health of students has considerably been enhanced through “Science of Living” which is an application of PMS in the field of education.
- Under the supervision of expert physicians, perfect scientific experiments have been performed, which have proved that PMS can be used as an alternative therapy. The most successful application is in the reversal of Coronary Heart Disease.
- Hundreds of people have been freed from intoxicants like tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
- PMS is believed to boost the PNI (Psycho-Neuro-Immunity). Some of the cases of diseases like cancer; AIDS etc. have been successfully treated.
- Subjective experiences of many people have shown that there occurs an overall transformation of personality. A striking example is of Mr. Arun Zaveri.
- Application of PMS has been very fruitful in sociological field to solve the problems like crimes, juvenile delinquencies, domestic violence etc.
- A systematic training in non-violence, based on PMS coupled with self-employment training has worked wonders not only to curb violence but also to provide needy people the means of livelihood. A sort of non-violent socio-economic revolution is taking place. The training centres in the Naxalite areas of Bihar, Jharkhand etc. have given amazing results.
We invite the scientific researchers to collaborate with PMS researchers working at our university to study the biochemical, neuroscientific, biophysical, physiological, psycho-neuro-immunological, and other effects of PMS.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks for your attention and shall now request for your questions and queries.