Acharya Mahaprajna
[raison d'etre = reason or justification for existence]
Necessity and emphasis on the performance of relaxation is laid down because that is the only way one can hope to communicate with one's subconscious self. So long as there is turmoil in the body, i.e. the muscles and nerves are tense and taut, one cannot reach the sub-conscious level. Once total steadiness is achieved, self-awareness and self-realisation follow. The conscious mind is completely withdrawn from external environment and seeks the separate being of the spiritual self. The body is forgotten as soon as even a glimpse of the spiritual self is realized. The self-awareness progresses and finally the body becomes limp, relaxed and cast off automatically.
Cessation of voluntary movements of the body and speech brings about the discipline of sense organs. The normal attraction of sensuous pleasure vanishes or is drastically reduced. The state of total relaxation is achieved and self-awareness - the journey to self-realization - commences.
