Prekshadhyana Sharir Preksha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prekshadhyana Sharir Preksha" by Mahapragna Acharya, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Prekshadhyana Sharir Preksha (Preksha Meditation: Body Awareness) Author: Mahapragna Acharya Publisher: Anekant Bharati Prakashan

Overall Theme: "Prekshadhyana Sharir Preksha" is a foundational text within the "Jeevanvigyan Granthamala" (Life Science Series) that introduces and explains the practice of Sharir Preksha (Body Awareness), a core component of Prekshadhyana, a unique meditation system developed by Acharya Tulsi and further elaborated by Yuvacharya Mahapragna. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with the physical body not as something to be renounced, but as a vital medium for spiritual progress and self-realization.

Key Concepts and Arguments:

Reinterpreting the Body:
- The book addresses a traditional ascetic viewpoint that often regards the body as impure, filled with waste, and something to be transcended or even neglected.
- However, it argues that this view can lead to an oversimplification and misconception. While acknowledging the body's transient and material nature, it firmly asserts that the body is the essential vehicle for spiritual growth. Neglecting the body hinders the journey towards the soul.
Body as a Medium for Sadhana (Spiritual Practice):
- Sharir Preksha is presented as a method to connect with the body at a profound level, understanding its intricate workings. This understanding is crucial for deeper spiritual practices.
- Without comprehending the body, the flow of life force (prana), and the subtle secrets of the physical and energetic bodies, reaching the soul is considered an overreach.
Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science:
- The text aims to integrate ancient philosophical insights and meditative practices with modern scientific understanding of the body.
- It highlights the need for individuals, especially in the modern era, to become more aware of their own bodies, as this self-awareness has diminished due to mental complexities and distractions.
The Importance of Self-Awareness in a Stressed World:
- Modern life is characterized by mental conflicts and physical ailments. Sharir Preksha offers a path to rediscovering oneself and improving physical and mental well-being.
- It notes that people often experience stress but struggle to pinpoint its physical location or even understand basic bodily functions like breathing.
The Practice of Sharir Preksha:
- The core of the book details the "how-to" of Sharir Preksha. It's described as a systematic process of observing the body, moving from gross to subtle levels.
- This involves focusing on different body parts, their sensations, and the subtle processes occurring within them.
- The practice aims to cultivate a state of witnessing (drashta) without attachment or aversion, freeing oneself from the dualities of pleasure and pain.
Anatomical and Physiological Overview:
- The book provides a detailed, albeit introductory, overview of the human body's systems from a scientific perspective. This includes:
  - Nervous System: Explaining the central and peripheral nervous systems, the brain, spinal cord, and the role of neurons. It highlights the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and their functions.
  - Circulatory System: Describing the heart, blood vessels, blood flow, and the crucial role of blood in transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste.
  - Respiratory System: Detailing the lungs, airways, and the process of external and internal respiration, emphasizing the importance of breath.
  - Digestive System: Covering the alimentary canal, mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs like the liver and pancreas.
  - Endocrine System: Discussing various glands (pineal, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, etc.) and their hormonal functions, which regulate bodily processes and influence personality.
  - Excretory System: Explaining the kidneys, bladder, and their role in waste elimination.
Spiritual Perspective on the Body:
- The text delves into the spiritual significance of the body, referring to it as a vehicle of Prana (life force).
- It introduces the concept of Prana Vaha Nadiyon (energy channels) like Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna, which are intrinsically linked to breathing through different nostrils and influence bodily temperature, mental states, and consciousness.
- The body is seen as the seat of consciousness and energy (Chaitanya and Shakti), with the nervous system acting as a crucial coordinating center.
- It emphasizes that the capacity for higher consciousness and spiritual development is uniquely present in humans due to their advanced nervous system.
The Goal of Sharir Preksha:
- Balance of Prana: The primary benefit is the restoration of balance in the vital life force (Prana), which is seen as the root cause of health and illness.
- Boosting Immunity: By awakening and balancing internal energies, Sharir Preksha strengthens the body's natural resistance to diseases.
- Holistic Health: It addresses physical (vyadhi), mental (adhi), and emotional (upadhi) ailments by promoting a harmonious relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind through the body.
- Awakening Consciousness: The practice aims to awaken dormant consciousness at the cellular level and foster a deep connection with one's inner self.
- Transformation and Self-Realization: Ultimately, Sharir Preksha is a tool for inner transformation, leading towards higher states of awareness, peace, and the realization of the soul (Atma Darshan).
- Living in the Present Moment: It teaches the practice of "living in the present," by keenly observing the ongoing bodily processes and sensations.
- Developing Reverse Consciousness (Pratisrot Gami Chaitanya): The practice helps individuals turn their awareness inward, focusing on self-observation rather than external distractions, thereby gaining mastery over their internal state.
- Body Rejuvenation (Kayakalp): Through purifying the body of toxins and balancing its energies, it contributes to a sense of lightness, rejuvenation, and vitality.

Conclusion: "Prekshadhyana Sharir Preksha" provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the human body from both scientific and spiritual perspectives, advocating for Sharir Preksha as a profound meditative technique. It empowers individuals to explore their inner landscape, achieve physical and mental well-being, and embark on a transformative journey towards spiritual enlightenment by recognizing the body as an indispensable tool and partner in this pursuit. The book is a testament to the practical and holistic approach of Prekshadhyana.