Ludhiana, April 3:
Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI) conducted a Workshop on Preksha meditation and yoga on the reversal of heart disease with Prof Dr S.C. Manchanda and Swami Dharmananda from New Delhi. The workshop was conducted in presence of Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya, Shri Mahashramman at Jainendra Bhawan, Atam Park. Dr Bishav Mohan, a cardiologist, coordinated the workshop. A strong scientific evidence was provided for the efficacy of Jain method of preksha meditation and preksha yoga in managing heart diseases. Swami Dharmananda is the coordinator of this research project undertaken by the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) New Delhi, to cure heart diseases, asthma, and diabetes by preksha meditation and preksha yoga. Swamiji is practicing Yoga since 1955 and organising Preksha Meditation camps since 1975. Prof SC Manchanda has conducted first international study (1997) from AIIMS to substantiate the effects Preksha Dhyan with angiographic proof. Prof Manchanda said that for research people were selected with age group of 30-75 years with chronic stable angina and those who had more than 70 percent of heart blockage as shown in angiography.
He added that the patients were subjected to preksha meditation and also good diet and moderate aerobic physical exercise and yoga. After few months their vitals were compared to those who were not doing preksha meditation. The results were very astonishing. ‘‘The progression of cause of blockage in artery stopped and their regression achieved by 15 percent. Similarly, lipid profile of research group showed 20 percent improvement. Moreover procedure in the active group was reduced by approximately 90 percent. At end of study it was revealed that life style interventions, especially yoga retarded further complications, improved quality of life and proved to be a cost effective practical method with high degree of compliance,’’ he said.
Preksha means to perceive and realise subtlest aspects of ones own self, to see self with self. Basically it consists of perception of body, psychic centres, breath and of contemplation processes initiating process of personal transformation. It is a comprehensive system of meditation exercises for attitudinal change, behavioural modification and integrated development of personality. Dr. G.S. Wander, chief cardiologist Hero DMC Heart Institute said that holistic systems like yogic lifestyle should be incorporated in clinics of regular hospitals, which could go a long way in prevention of cardiac diseases. Dr. Bishav Mohan requested Prof S.C. Manchanda to open up a similar center for preksha meditation at HDHI.