Pure Ayurvedic Treatment

Introduction

Meditation is the medication of the mind. It can change our bio-chemistry and thereby positive emotions can be developed that can build an integrated personality. Preksha Meditation is a technique of meditation that aims at bringing about positive attitudinal and behavioural changes through overall transformation in the personality. Preksha Meditation is the path of self- awakening and self-realization. Its practice helps to connect one's soul at its most profound level and finally achieve a state of super consciousness.

Although, the technique of Preksha Meditation is derived from the wisdom of ancient philosophy, it is authentically based on current scientific principles. The main purpose of the Preksha Meditation is to purify the mental state. A human mind is constantly exposed to contaminating urges, emotions, and passions. Therefore, it is essential to remove these obstacles. Peace of mind appears with the disappearance of the impure thoughts. In addition, balanced mind, equanimity, and well-being are also experienced simultaneously. Uncontrolled emotions like anger, greed etc. are not only the hurdles in spiritual progress but also becomes the cause of disaster in social life.

What is Preksha Meditation

The word ‘Preksha' means ‘to perceive' and "Dhyana" (meditation) is deep concentration on a specific subject.

''Preksha Meditation means to perceive carefully and profoundly being free from attachment and aversion. All emotional states are closely observed but not experienced. The emphasis is to perceive and know, not to think and know, because perception is so completely concerned with the present. When we observe the present without the baggage of the past or concern of the future, we have the perception of reality.''

In this technique, one has to observe the internal phenomenon of the body. In the beginning a person observes the states of the gross body, then the phases of the taijas sharir, (the electrical body), followed by the vibrations in the karma sharir (the micro body). It is a technique of “concentration of perception” and not the “thoughts”.

Purpose of Preksha Meditation

The main purpose of practice of Preksha Meditation (To see inside with deep concentration) is to purify the mental states. Mind is constantly chocked by contaminating urges, emotions and passions. This hampers the flow of wisdom. The hurdles of uncleanliness must first be removed. When the mind is cleaned, peace of mind automatically surfaces. Balance of mind, equanimity and the state of well-being are also experienced simultaneously.

• On a physical level it helps each cell in the body to revitalize itself.
• On a mental level it proves to be an applied method to train the mind to concentrate.
• On an emotional level the strengthening of conscious reasoning controls reactions.
• On a spiritual level it enhances the purity.

Preksha Meditation is to acquire psychical goodness by eradicating all evil from one's thoughts, speech and action which exhibits to be the sign of healthy mind.

Components of Preksha Meditation

There are eight main Components of Preksha Meditation -

1. Kayotsarg (Total Relaxation)

♦ Kayotsarg means - Deep Relaxation with Self Awareness (Total relaxation with complete self awareness).

♦ Kayotsarg implies abandonment of the body through complete relaxation.

Effects of Practicing Kayotsarg :

» Yields total relaxation.

» Calms the nervous system, treats psychosomatic illnesses, recharges the body and the mind, and cultivates positive attitude and behavior.

2. Antaryatra (Internal Trip)

♦ Increased flow of vital energy towards central nervous system.

♦ Antaryatra requires the mind to be focused along the spinal cord.

♦ Concentration begins at the bottom tip of the spinal cord (Shakti Kendra - the center of energy) and gradually moves upwards until it reaches the brain (Gyan Kendra - the center of wisdom).

♦ Then reverse the direction of focus until it reaches the spinal cord tip.

Effects of Antaryatra

» Results in cognition of internal phenomena to get higher level of self awareness/consciousness.

» Reduces stress, improves the nervous system, rejuvenates the vital energy and overcomes negative emotions.

3. Shwasa-preksha (Perception of Breathing)

♦ Preksha modulating and strengthening the “Vital Energy” (Pran Shakti) by modulating breath.

♦ Shwasa Preksha is the powerful technique of observing breath with complete awareness as a means to traverse from the gross to subtle levels of consciousness.

♦ Breath is the first step to the subtle because with the exception of the mind. It is the only bodily function that operates both at a conscious and unconscious level.

♦ Since the mind cannot be engaged in both perception and conception simultaneously, it cannot be the object of concentrated perception.

Effects of Shwasa-preksha

» Results in complete peace and steadiness of mind.

» With regular practice one would notice conception vanishing, leaving behind pure perception.

4. Sharira-preksha (Perception of Body)

♦ Directing the flow of consciousness from outside to inside

♦ Sharira Preksha is the process of concentrating and observing the subtle phenomena occurring in each and every part of the body one at a time.

♦ It begins with the observation of all the sensations of the body's outermost layers and then gradually moves inside to the inner layers and organs.

Effects of Sharira-preksha

» Our body's hidden mysteries can be understood.

» Helps in maintaining good health.

5. Chaitanya-kendra-preksha (Perception of PsychicCentres)

♦ Modulation of the functions of neuro-endocrine energy centres.

♦ Chaitanya Kendra Preksha is an exercise in which one concentrates on the various psychic centers in the body.

♦ The psychic centers are the key locations on the body that receive both the positive and negative energy from the universe and redistribute it through the human system.

Effects of Chaitanya-kendra-preksha

» Restores equilibrium in neuro-endocrine system to strengthen the power of reasoning mind.

» Focused flow of energy through any specific center intensifies the particular desired behavior.

6. Leshyadhyan (Perception of Psychic Colors) (Color Meditation)

♦ Creating liaison between the spiritual self and psychical self with the help of color energy

♦ Leshya Dhyana takes the Chaitanya Kendra Preksha exercise further by specifying a color to visualize on the chosen psychic center.

♦ Five bright colors known for their positive qualities are used in this technique. As steadiness of meditation increases, visualization of colors intensifies.

Effects of Leshyadhyan

» The perception of radiant energy of bright colors neutralizes the waves of thoughts, uncertainty and delusion.

» Today scientific evidence confirms that long exposure to specific colors has an influence on a person's emotions and personality.

» Leshya Dhyana results in purification of the aura.

7. Bhavana (Auto-suggestion)

Bhavana means meditation or contemplation and the practice of four bhavanas is necessary for the development of meditational capacity.

• Knowledge-oriented Bhavana: The practice of knowing things objectively and impartially without attachment, aversion and delusion.

• Perception-oriented Bhavana: The practice of seeing things objectively and impartially without attachment, aversion and delusion.

• Conduct-oriented Bhavana: The practice of acting objectively and impartially without attachment, aversion and delusion.

• Detachment-oriented Bhavana: The practice of non-attachment, non-aspiration and fearlessness.

8. Anupreksha (Contemplation)

♦ Anupreksha is revising and thinking about what was concentrated upon and felt during meditation and analyzing it after the exercise.

♦ It is a practice of deep contemplation and understanding.

♦ The exercise is practiced for two purposes: to contemplate on that which is eternal, true and real and to bring about attitudinal changes through autosuggestion.

Effects of Anupreksha

» The practice of contemplation replaces the ignorance and superstitions by true knowledge and wisdom.

» It is a process of realizing the truth and adhering to it, thereby bringing in the state o fmental calmness and promoting mental health.

» This technique can be used for reinforcement of positive qualities or reversing negative traits.