Prekshadhyan Au Shakti Jagaran - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Prekshadhyan au Shakti Jagaran" by Acharya Mahapragna, in English:

Prekshadhyan and Awakening of Inner Power

This text by Acharya Mahapragna explores the concept of awakening one's inner potential through Prekshadhyan (a form of meditation) and highlights the significance of "Chaitanya Kendras" (centers of consciousness) within the human body.

The Essence of Inner Power: Every individual is an "unit of power," but the primary challenge lies in its manifestation. While some are unaware of their inherent strength, others know but don't practice to awaken it. Only those who are both knowledgeable and vigilant can truly manifest their power.

Chaitanya Kendras: The Energy Centers: The text identifies thirteen primary "Chaitanya Kendras" within the body, which are dormant and represent sources of latent energy. These centers are analogous to the "chakras" in Tantra and Hath Yoga, and "marmasthanas" in Ayurveda. Awakening these centers is crucial for harnessing one's potential.

The thirteen Chaitanya Kendras and their associated locations and functions are detailed as follows:

Shakti Kendra (Power Center): Located below the spinal cord, it's the reservoir of physical energy and biological electricity.
Swasthya Kendra (Health Center): Situated below the genitals, it relates to the gonads and controls the subconscious mind. It is associated with the Swadhisthana Chakra in Yoga, with six petals representing various psychological tendencies like disrespect, fainting, honor, distrust, destruction, and cruelty.
Tejas Kendra (Radiance Center): Located at the navel, it's connected to the adrenal glands and kidneys. In Yoga, it's the Manipura Chakra with ten petals, associated with tendencies like shame, malice, envy, lethargy, sadness, anger, greed, delusion, disgust, and fear.
Ananda Kendra (Bliss Center): Situated next to the heart below the lungs, it's related to the thymus gland and is known as Anahata Chakra in Hath Yoga. It has twelve petals, each associated with emotions like hope, worry, effort, attachment, vanity, fickleness, discernment, ego, craving, deceit, contemplation, and proportion. A Jain scripture describes the heart-lotus with eight petals, each housing a different mental state, from negative (Kumati, Jugupsa) to positive (Shubhmati, Saata).
Vishuddhi Kendra (Purity Center): Located in the throat region, it's connected to the thyroid gland and has a profound link with the mind. In Yoga, it's the Vishuddhi Chakra with sixteen petals.
Brahma Kendra (Cosmic Center): Its location is the tip of the tongue. Its stability aids in controlling the generative organs. Some centers, like Tejas, Ananda, and Vishuddhi, are at the confluence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The Brahma Kendra is also linked to the sensory organs.
Prana Kendra (Life Force Center): Situated at the tip of the nose, it's the main seat of life force and is crucial for nirvikalpa dhyana (meditation without mental constructs).
Apramada Kendra (Vigilance Center): Located in the ear, it's deeply connected to awareness. Both the nose and ears, as recognized by modern science, control many mental tendencies and are linked to the brain.
Chakshush Kendra (Vision Center): Located in the eyes, it has a strong connection to vital energy.
Darshan Kendra (Perception Center): Situated between the eyebrows, it's the area of the pituitary gland, known as Ajna Chakra in Hath Yoga. It's the meeting point of Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna nadis.
Jyoti Kendra (Light Center): Located in the middle of the forehead, it's the domain of the pineal gland. Some Hath Yogis consider the "Lalana Chakra" in the palate as comparable.
Shanti Kendra (Peace Center): Located in the forebrain, it's related to the stream of emotions and influences the hypothalamus.
Gyan Kendra (Knowledge Center): This is a significant part of the central nervous system, involving the cerebellum, cerebrum, and hindbrain. It's a crucial source of extra-sensory consciousness and can be compared to the Sahasrara Chakra in Hath Yoga.

Methods for Awakening Power: Practices like Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), and Japa (chanting) are beneficial. However, Preksha is presented as a more potent method. By focusing intently on a specific Chaitanya Kendra with concentration, vibrations are initiated, which awaken the dormant power within.

The Preksha Meditation Process: The process involves:

Choosing a comfortable posture (Padmasana, Vajrasana, or Mukhasana).
Performing Kayotsarga (awareness and relaxation).
Selecting a Chaitanya Kendra for focus.
Initiating practice with Dharana (concentration).
Reaching a point of deep concentration by continuously observing the targeted center.
Experiencing a state of meditation or Samadhi.

Benefits of Awakening Each Kendra: Purifying these Chaitanya Kendras leads to the awakening of specific powers:

Shakti Kendra: Grants eloquence (Vaksiddhi), poetic ability, and health.
Swasthya Kendra: Enables control over the subconscious mind, leading to health and prosperity.
Tejas Kendra: Facilitates the understanding of tendencies like anger and increases vital energy.
Ananda Kendra: Reduces the suffering of old age, stills the flow of thoughts, and brings a feeling of natural bliss.
Vishuddhi Kendra: Enhances the refinement of tendencies and the ability to slow down aging.
Brahma Kendra: Bestows the capacity to control sexual urges.
Prana Kendra: Leads to a state of thoughtlessness (Nirvichara).
Apramada Kendra: Aids in changing addictive habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, leading to stable transformation with consistent practice.
Chakshush Kendra: Cultivates concentration.
Darshan Kendra: Develops intuition and the ability to establish direct contact with the nature of things and events (extra-sensory capacity).
Jyoti Kendra: Helps in pacifying anger.
Shanti Kendra: Purifies the emotional system by influencing the limbic system, leading to a "change of heart."
Gyan Kendra: Develops inner knowing and refined extra-sensory consciousness.
Cerebellum Meditation: Practicing meditation on the cerebellum is also important for the development of extra-sensory consciousness.

The Core Problem and Solution: The text emphasizes that the root of today's problems lies in the weakness of the mind and lack of willpower. When mental strength is low, problems appear insurmountable. However, with strong willpower, even immense challenges seem minor. The text clarifies that problems are not inherently large or small; their perceived size depends on the level of willpower.

Instead of focusing on the problem or trying to solve it directly, which often leads to further entanglement due to a lack of willpower, the solution lies in accumulating inner strength. Meditation provides willpower, mental energy, and pure consciousness, enabling individuals to face any problem, cope with any situation with joy, solve difficulties, and maintain balance amidst life's ups and downs.

The final line reiterates the goal: "Asamsth tam Aatma-sth man tab ho sake aashvast jam" – achieving a steadfast and confident mind rooted in the self.