PREKSHA MEDITATION

The word Preksha is derived from “iksha” which means “to see”. When the prefix Pra is added, it becomes Pra+iksha, which now means to perceive carefully and profoundly. This perception draws focus to experience the dualities of like-dislike, pleasure-pain, love-hatred etc. and being impartial to them. Preksha implies to impartiality or equanimity to such dual emotions/experiences that means achieving a state where you don’t have perception of attachment or detachment/aversion. It is like achieving a state of neutrality towards day-to- day human emotions.

Acharya Mahapragya, the 10th Head of Jain Swetamber Terapanth sect, formulated Preksha meditation in the 1970s. Hence Preksha has its roots in the Jain tradition of Meditation. According to this belief system, the scientific explanation to the modern day problems can be found in the fact that human beings possess two different paths of thinking. One, the animal brain, responsible for our animal-like instincts-anger, agony, loss of control on our actions, hatred etc and the other called the rational or logical brain that imparts us with much finer humane attributes like peace, serenity, calmness, patience and all such virtues. Preksha Meditation can help us regain, and establish command of the logical brain over the animal brain.

Preksha again has to be practiced under proper guidance. The practitioner observes inner self phenomenon through stages of Gross Body to Taijas Sharir (electrical body) and Karma Sharir (the micro body). At advanced stages of Preksha, the practitioner is able to observe even his/her past life.
,br> The basic components of Preksha Meditation are:

• Kayotsarg (relaxation)

• Antaryatra (internal trip)

• Shvas Preksha (perception of breathing)

• Sharir Preksha (perception of physical body)

• Chaitanya Kendra Preksha (perception of psychic centers)

• Leshya Dhyna (perception of psychic colour)

• Anupreksha (contemplation)

• Chanting of Mantra (Mantra meditation)