Preksha Dhyana Basic Principles - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of "Preksha Dhyana: Basic Principles" by Yuvacharya Mahaprajna, based on the provided text:

Overall Goal: "Preksha Dhyana: Basic Principles" is a foundational text introducing a meditation technique aimed at attitudinal change, behavioral modification, and integrated personality development. It seeks to achieve global amity, peace, and happiness by eradicating negative urges like cruelty, hatred, and retaliation, promoting a life of well-being.

Core Philosophy and Approach: The book presents Preksha Dhyana as a synthesis of ancient Jain philosophy and modern scientific concepts. It emphasizes the understanding that human existence is dual (spiritual self within a physical body) and that life processes are largely within our control through the power of the spiritual self. This control is achieved by knowing how to live properly, encompassing eating, breathing, and thinking.

What is Preksha? The word "Preksha" is derived from the root "iksha," meaning "to see." With the prefix "pra," it signifies "to perceive carefully and profoundly." This "seeing" is not physical vision but a deep, mental insight into subtle consciousness. Preksha Dhyana involves the full engagement of the mind in perceiving subtle, internal phenomena of consciousness. It's based on the Jain aphorism "See thyself." The core principle is the concentration of perception, not thought. Perception, in this context, is defined as experience devoid of like and dislike, leading to impartiality and equanimity.

Benefits of Preksha Dhyana: Preksha Dhyana offers benefits on multiple levels:

Physical: Revitalizes body cells, facilitates digestion, improves respiration and blood circulation.
Mental: Trains the mind for concentration, treats psychosomatic illnesses without drugs, helps overcome addictions, and reveals the mysteries of the mind and inner consciousness.
Emotional: Strengthens conscious reasoning to control reactions, harmonizes the nervous and endocrine systems, and eradicates psychological distortions.
Spiritual: Regulates blood chemistry, leads to control over the mind, and fosters freedom from external influences that disrupt equanimity.

No Theological Dogma: The practice is open to everyone regardless of caste, color, country, or creed. It has no communal bias and does not require adherence to any specific theological belief.

Learning and Practice: While the technique is not overly difficult, learning from experienced and trained teachers is essential. Ten-day training retreats are recommended for proper instruction.

Review of Results: The text highlights the successful organization of over a hundred training camps, benefiting more than 13,000 individuals from diverse professions. Many participants have reported improvements in physical health and relief from mental tensions and psychosomatic diseases. Two permanent training centers are established: Tulsi Adhyatma Nidam (Ladnun, Rajasthan) and Adhyatma Sadhana Kendra (New Delhi).

Key Components of Preksha Dhyana (as outlined in the table of contents):

Preconditions of Preksha Dhyana:
- Initiation: Dedication to the practice through specific aphorisms.
- Five Disciplines:
  1. Bhāvakriya (Synchrony of Mental and Physical Actions): Present-mindedness, complete awareness of actions, and uninterrupted spiritual vigilance.
  2. Act - Do not "Re-act": Controlling reactive emotional impulses and responding with reasoned action.
  3. Amity: Cultivating friendliness, compassion, and sympathy.
  4. Dieting: Mindful eating, avoiding overeating and unhealthy foods.
  5. Silence: Controlled or complete silence, using speech only when necessary.
- Recitation of Arham: Building a protective shield through sound waves.
Spiritual Vigilance: Awakening and maintaining constant alertness of consciousness, essential for concentration and meditation. It contrasts with being assailed by fear and promotes harmony of body, mind, and speech.
Kāyotsarga (Total Relaxation with Self-Awareness): Conscious suspension of gross bodily movements to achieve physical relaxation and reduce metabolic activity. This is a foundational step for meditation, providing physical rest and allowing consciousness to transcend the physical body.
Antaryātrā (Internal Trip): A process where the conscious mind travels from the center of energy at the base of the spine to the center of knowledge at the top of the head, along the spinal cord. This upward flow of vital energy generates nervous energy necessary for further practice and helps reverse psychological distortions.
Śvāsa-Prekṣā (Perception of Breathing): Focusing on breath to regulate mental activity. It involves making breathing deep, slow, and rhythmic, which steadies the mind and pacifies passions. It can be practiced as Dirgha Švāsa Preksă (long breathing) or Samavrtti Švāsa Preksă (equal breathing with alternate nostrils).
Śarira-Prekṣā (Perception of Body): Re-establishing contact with one's body to understand its processes and innate protective mechanisms. It involves perceiving sensations from the skin to subtle vibrations within the nervous system, aiming for impartial perception of pleasure and pain, and ultimately self-awareness.
Caitanya-Kendra-Prekṣā (Perception of Psychic Centres): Understanding the endocrine glands as psychic centers that influence mental states and behavior. By developing the "upper endocrines" and regulating the "lower ones," one can gain control over primal drives and achieve desirable transformation in habits.
Lešyā-dhyāna (Perception of Psychic Colours): Recognizing that emotions and urges are endocrine expressions and are associated with subtle vibrations called Leśyās. These Leśyās have associated colors (malevolent: black, blue, grey; benevolent: red, yellow, white). The practice involves transforming malevolent Leśyās into benevolent ones through color perception, leading to a decrease in animal instincts and an increase in spiritual progress.
Perception of The Present Moment: Focusing solely on the present, as it is the only reality. This practice helps avoid the agitation caused by past memories and future anxieties, fostering impartiality.
Perception of Thoughts-Equanimity: Observing thoughts impartially as a spectator, distinguishing the "spiritual self" from mental activity. This practice develops equanimity, which is pure and uncontaminated perception, leading to pure knowledge and infinite bliss.
Self-Discipline: Development of Will-Power: Activating dormant willpower by ceasing to satisfy sensual desires and avoiding their "narcotic" effect. Self-discipline leads to discrimination between good and evil and ultimately establishes the supremacy of the rational mind.
Reflection, Contemplation, Concentration: Using reflection (bhavana) and contemplation (anupreksha) to reinforce willpower and maintain vigilance. Contemplation includes themes of solitariness, impermanence, vulnerability, and reality. Sustained concentration is crucial for deep meditation.

In essence, "Preksha Dhyana: Basic Principles" provides a structured, step-by-step approach to meditation that aims to cultivate self-awareness, emotional regulation, mental clarity, and spiritual growth, grounded in a holistic understanding of human existence.