Adhyatmik Yoga Aur Pranshakti - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Adhyatmik Yoga aur Pranshakti" by Navmal, based on the provided pages:

The text, "Spiritual Yoga and Life Force," by Muni Nathmal, outlines a practical path for spiritual development, integrating three core aspects: Spirituality (Adhyatm), Life Force (Prana), and Conduct (Vyavahar). The author emphasizes that while mastery of life force is important for facilitating spiritual growth, the ultimate goal is spiritual development, the evolution of consciousness.

The Three Pillars of Practice:

Spirituality (Adhyatm): Ego Dissolution (Aham Visarjan)
- The primary spiritual practice recommended is ego dissolution (Aham Visarjan) for six months.
- Ego (Aham) and possessiveness (Mamkar) are identified as the main obstacles to spiritual progress and consciousness development.
- Ego is described as self-willfulness, arrogance, and the tendency to overestimate oneself.
- The essence of ego dissolution leads to humility (Vinay), which is the first of the four states of equanimity mentioned by Lord Mahavir (Vinay Samadhi). Humility is not directed towards others but is the act of removing one's own inner impurities like anger and ego.
Life Force (Prana): Breath Control (Pran Sadhana)
- This aspect involves two key breathing techniques:
  - Deep Breathing (Dirgh Shwas): Taking long, complete breaths. The longer the breath, the fewer the mental impurities like anger and impulses. Deep breathing scientifically helps expel carbon dioxide and impurities from the lungs, leading to purer blood and a calmer mind. Short breaths retain impurities, hindering positive change.
  - Balanced Breathing (Samatal Shwas): Maintaining a rhythmic and consistent breath pattern. Just as rhythm is essential for enjoying music, balanced breathing creates a natural state of meditation and tranquility. This involves inhaling, holding, and exhaling for equal durations, creating a harmonious flow.
Conduct (Vyavahar): Cultivating Compassion (Karuna)
- This aspect requires consistent and mindful practice in daily interactions.
- The core practice is compassion (Karuna) towards everyone, including family, friends, and even servants. Cruelty should be replaced with compassion.
- Compassion is presented as a key characteristic of right vision (Samyakdrishti) in Jainism. Those who lack compassion are considered to have wrong vision (Mithyadrushti).
- Practicing compassion can help alleviate various ailments and reduce injustice.

The Supporting Practice: Mantra Recitation (Japa)

To strengthen these three practices, the author emphasizes the importance of mantra recitation (Japa), specifically the Navkar Mantra. Japa enhances both life force and spiritual power.

A specific method for reciting the Navkar Mantra is suggested:

Recite specific phrases of the Navkar Mantra only during breath retention (Kumbhak).
'Namo Arihantanam': Recite during the retention after inhalation.
'Namo Siddhanam': Recite during the retention after exhalation (or vice-versa, as the emphasis is on Kumbhak).
Do not recite during inhalation or exhalation.
This practice, even for a short duration like 21 repetitions, can increase stability and concentration.

Integrating the Practices for Enhanced Japa:

The effectiveness of Japa is further amplified by incorporating four elements:

The Mantra Phrase (Pad): The specific words being chanted.
Color (Rang): Associating each phrase with a specific color.
Location (Sthan): Visualizing the phrase in a particular part of the body or chakra.
Breath State (Shwas ki Sthiti): Practicing during Kumbhak.

The text then details the specific associations for each line of the Navkar Mantra:

'Namo Arihantanam': White color, Sahasrar Chakra (crown of the head).
'Namo Siddhanam': Red color, forehead (Agnya Chakra).
'Namo Ayariyanam': Yellow color, throat (Vishuddhi Chakra).
'Namo Uvajjhayanam': Blue color, heart (heart lotus).
'Namo Loke Savva Sahunam': Black color, toe of the foot.

The Power of Mantra and the Importance of Holistic Practice:

The author uses the analogy of a boat to illustrate the importance of a holistic approach. A boat can ferry someone across a river, but it requires a skilled boatman (navigator), oars, and the art of rowing. Similarly, a mantra has power, but its efficacy depends on:

Mindful Engagement (Man ka Yog): The mind must be fully connected with the mantra. Chanting without mental involvement is ineffective. The mind must be focused and not scattered.
Understanding the Meaning (Arth ko Janna): Knowing the meaning of the mantra is crucial for achieving the desired outcome.
Correct Pronunciation (Uchcharan): Proper pronunciation of the mantra is essential for its power. Different types of pronunciation (hrasva, dirgha, pluta, sukshma, atisukshma, paramasukshma) have varying effects.

The Danger of Partial Understanding:

The text warns against focusing on only one aspect of the practice, like just chanting the mantra (the boat). This can lead to frustration and a belief that the mantra is ineffective. The author stresses that this is akin to getting lost in the middle of the river.

The Role of Prana Shakti and Aiming for the Ultimate Goal:

Prana Shakti (Life Force) is described as electrical energy within the body, powering all our activities. Strengthening Prana increases mental strength and willpower.
Practices like celibacy (Brahmacharya), control of speech, control of mind, and concentration are crucial for directing this life force upwards, towards the brain, thereby enhancing mental faculties and resolve.
These are considered means (sadhan) to the ultimate goal of Self-Realization (Atmoplabdhi), not the goal itself.

Color and its Influence:

The text highlights the profound impact of colors on the mind and body. Color therapy is mentioned, and it's explained that colors influence our thoughts and the subtle energy fields (auras) around us, affecting our emotions and well-being. Negative thoughts create dark (black) color impressions, while positive thoughts create yellow, red, or white impressions.

The Subtle Power of Words and Mantras:

The author elaborates on the power of words, citing Swami Vivekananda's experience to demonstrate the immediate impact of even a single word. Beyond the gross effect, words possess subtle vibrations that can influence and even perform tasks like healing or cutting diamonds. Mantras, being combinations of such powerful words, hold even greater potential.

The True Meaning of Japa and Self-Transformation:

Japa is not merely repetition; it is becoming one with the object of meditation. It is a form of verbal meditation (Vachik Dhyan).
The ultimate aim of chanting "Namo Arihantanam" is not just to venerate the Arihants but to transform oneself into an Arihant. This requires visualizing oneself as an Arihant and feeling the process of becoming one.
True progress is marked by the reduction of negative emotions like attachment and aversion, and the awakening of inherent qualities and powers.

Conclusion:

The text concludes by reiterating that true spiritual practice is a holistic endeavor that integrates spiritual discipline, control of life force, and ethical conduct. The effectiveness of any practice, particularly mantra chanting, depends on the integration of mind, meaning, pronunciation, and associated visualizations. The ultimate goal is not to find satisfaction in intermediate gains but to strive for the highest realization of the Self.