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Preksha Dhyan

By Mrs. Vidya Jain

Stress Management : One of the biggest problems of today's world is tension. Today there are a lot of medicines within easy reach for relieving this tension, however the effect of these medicines is very limited. Along with tension the quantity of medicines keeps increasing so also do the medicines for a night sound sleep - this cycle keeps on going endlessly.

However if we can unearth the roots of this tension and realize why and where this tension emanates and prepare ourselves to that extent where tension never builds up and if it does it easily soothes down.

Why does Tension build?

There are three different types of stress.

Physical stress can be caused by excessive work -load or physical labour and easily relieved by relaxation but what is more difficult is mental stress and more so emotional stress. To relieve the latter two stresses, it becomes important to train the brain. The key word here is 'Samta' which means equanimity in the philosophy of Jain . 'Samta ' means to maintain one's composure in both favourable and unfavourable situations. A person who cannot bear any sort of physical, discomfort and becomes easily uncomfortable by slight heat or cold becomes more susceptible, to diseases. There are some favourable situations in life because of which stress or mental tension arises. They are - success, happiness, fame, gain, respect, etc.

Likewise there are 5 unfavourable conditions in life that lead to tension or depression - loss, ridicule, death, unhappiness, failure. Whenever we lose our balance we will become prey to stress. What is important is to be equanimous. One who knows how to create a balance between the favourable and unfavourable situations only he can maintain balance of mind and his composure. He has to find for himself what is good -loss or gain? Sometimes loss can become catalyst to a greater good as it can motivate a person to improve and work harder.

It is said that the earth and wealth cannot belong to anyone, they can never be faithful or true to any one person, people have lived and died, they belong to nobody. Mind should become aware of the educated fact that whatever is fated to die. If we become educated to this fact then our mind will never mourn for the loss of a dear possession.

The misconception that we can buy happiness with money should break, one can only buy comfort with money not happiness. If happiness could be bought with money then all the citizens of affluent nations will be intrinsically happy.

Man’s greatest fear is death. Half the diseased people die not due to their diseases but the fear of death. He who can train his mind and learn to relieve off his fear will become free of tension.

The moment one gets ridiculed he/she becomes offensive, defensive then feels insecure and develops a complex, while on the other hand, a little bit of appreciation fills the same person with pride. Praise and ridicule are two complicated state of mind.

Success gives one a completely different status, and this status itself becomes a headache to that person.

If a man can train his mind in such a way that it does not get away to favourable or unfavourable situations then his way of thinking will get completely changed. He has to train his mind not to become egotistical when things go well or get an inferiority complex are not amiable.

The simple and sure way of training the mind is called 'Kayotsarg' or 'Shavasana‘ in the language of Yoga. Shavasana is the name given to the relaxation posture. The method to do this is by lying on the back and giving autosuggestion to the body from the toe of the foot to the tips of the hair to relax. When all the body parts cum joints of the whole body get relaxed then the nervous system also get relaxed. Due to slow and rhythmic breathing the tension of the mind gets relaxed. Kayotsarg can be perfected not through physical strength or destructive thoughts but only calm auto suggestions.

Due to the tension in the mind the body joints and bones become stiff, the flow of blood gets obstructed and a chemical called Lactic acid gets collected in the body. This leads to exhaustion, body ache and stiffness of the body.

In olden days faith healing was practiced. In Egypt 3000 years back this type of treatment was practiced. With the growth of commercialization this golden knowledge got lost once it reached

in the hands of the corrupt practitioners.

An Australian doctor Dr. Mesmer first gave importance to self- suggestion; it is from him that the word mesmerisation has been coined. In Greek language the word hypnosis was used for sleep.

Kayotsarg means to relax the body to such an extent as to lose all awareness of the body itself . Many developments take place by the practice of this method of relaxation for e. g. blood sugar gets decreased, white blood corpuscles increase, EEG and BP gets stabilized. Along with the treatment of diseases, increasing body energy and changing behaviour is also useful.

Through mental peace, vital energy gets increased. Pure thoughts help the mind to gain stability, stay in the present instead of day dreaming about the past or the future and the endless circle of thoughts gets controlled. Man starts getting the answers to his troubles himself through Kayotsarg and thus all the reasons for stress get eradicated.

Prana (vital energy) and Pranayama (art of scientific breathing)

Prana is the universal principle of energy. It is vital force. It is all pervading. It may be either in a static or dynamic state. It is found in all living things from the gigantic to the minutest. It exists in the form of an unicellular amoebae to man and from and ant to the elephant. "It is Prana that shines in your eyes, Prana that the ears hear, the skin feels, the nose smells, the brain and the intellect do their functions. Fire burns, river flows, wind blows, through Prana. The aircraft moves in the air, train and cars move through Prana. Radio wave travel through Prana. Prana is electron. Prana is force. Prana is magnetism and Prana is electricity." Even the sun, moon, the clouds and the very earth we live on is a blessing of Prana. Knowledge is Prana. The whole body works with Prana shakti. Human body derives this Prana through breath. As is common knowledge breath and life are practically synonymous. To breathe is to live and to live is to breathe. Breath is intimately connected with body and mind. It is the bridge permitting access to the nervous system, mind and vital energy (Prana shakti). Breath, body and mind are all energized by the vital life energy. However, this vital energy is itself activated by subtle body (Taijasya Sarira). At the ultimate end of this chain is soul or consciousness. Russian scientist Mr. Acnnyon and Mrs. Valentina Kirlian developed this technique of photographing this energy and it can be seen by anyone in photographs and by electron microscopes.

According to Patanjali founder of yoga science there are five types of Prana:

* Prana Vayu
* Apana Vayu
* Samana Vayu
* Udhana Vayu
* Vayana Vayu

Prana Vayu - Prana controls the breathing process taking place inside the chest. In the form of oxygen Prana takes its energy.

Apana Vayu controls the excretory organs and the reproductive organs.

Samana Vayu helps in the process of digestion and controls hunger.

Udhana Vayu controls the vocal chords, this helps in breathing air and eating food.

It is spread all over the body. The energy that is derived from the air we breathe and the food we eat is spread around to the various parts of body through Prana Vayu. Fresh air is inhaled and reaches the lungs, contains oxygen ( Prana vayu) which enters the blood stream and is delivered to the cells in the active tissues, cells use the oxygen to produce energy. Thus breath is a source of vital energy. Prana is the melody of life. The force controlling it is our breath and yet we pay such little attention to it. We leave it considering it a natural and automatic exercise. On the basis of a long experience in yoga I can confidently say that only a few people know the correct way of breathing. "Pranayam" is the scientific way of absorption of oxygen and excretion of carbon -di-oxide.

In a single day we breathe about 2300 times. Average volume of air taken in a single breath ranges from a half to a liter with proper attention this volume can be increased upto 4 to 5 litres. Thus we can learn the capacity of breathing in five times the oxygen that we normally breathe and breathing out carbon-di-oxide much faster. However we can train ourselves to breathe more slowly and deeply. The rate can easily be reduced from four to five breaths per minutes. Slower breath rate results in reduction of wear and tear in the entire body. less work for the heart, it reduces high blood pressure and quieter nerves.

Pranayama means to increase the quantity of Prana in the body. Pranyama is the method of breathing in a rhythmic way and correct fashion. While inhaling breathe in through the nostrils, the stomach at the same time should come outside (expand) and while breathing out the stomach should go inside. This is the correct way of breathing.

If the breath is controlled then it is easy to control the mind and its thoughts and emotions. Pranayama is like a gate which has to be crossed before finally reaching upon the doorsteps of Dhyana. Swansa (Breath) is the tool that connects the exterior world to the inner world.

Pranayama is not merely concerned with breath, quite on the contrary all the internal organs infact the whole body gets exercised from Pranayama. The digestive system, nervous system , excretory organs get activated from this exercise. In fact there is an enhancement in the whole personality of person through this. Its practitioner will in due course of time, experience noticeable improvement in the quality of his voice, in his decision power and self confidence. Not to mention that he will achieve a high concentration power and good health.

It is said that a yogi’s age should not be calculated from the number of years he has spent but from the quality of his breaths- the longer and deeper his breaths the longer is his life. A dog takes about 30-40 breaths per minute and he lives no longer than 12-14 years. While a tortoise takes about 4-5 breaths per minute, his life has been recorded to be for even 150 years. Which means that the longer and deeper the breaths will be so also will the life be longer and more healthy. Once the proper way of breathing has been acquired then the same will become routine and no special effort will have to be made.

Because of this while performing Pranayama - time, place, posture and Asana plus the proper technique have to be kept in consideration. Practice of Pranayama in a tranquil, open and clean environment is ideal. Pranayama should be performed only on empty stomach and after passing clear motion.

Pranayama should be performed after exercises. In case one is physically exhausted or the mind is distraught then Pranayama should not be performed. To dislodge the tiredness of the body relaxation (Shava Asana) should be performed. Pranayama should not be performed immediately before sleeping . There should be at least a gap of four hours after a meal, after performing Pranayama meal can be taken after half an hour. Youngsters from 15-16 years of age should not perform Kumbhak Performing Pranayama in a Lotus posture is ideal. In this posture the backbone is absolutely straight and hence there is a flow of blood in each and every vertebrae of the body. Since the ribs are upright there is full oxygen flow in the lungs. Because of this the distribution of the Prana Vayu takes place in a complete and systematic way. Pranayama can also be performed in a Siddhasana and Vajrasana(Ankle posture)

In Sidhasana the impact falls on the upper portion of the backbone but in the ankle posture the impact falls on the lower part of the backbone. The key to perform Pranayama is to loosen the body from the head to the toe and become an observer to all our thoughts. Only then will the Prana vayu reach all the centers.

With closed eyes try to hear the sound of the breaths. Bring your attention inside. Pranayama is the art of stabilizing the mind. The stability of the mind depends upon the stability of the breaths. For that reason maintaining an equanimous state of mind is imperative. In today’s world everybody desires peace and that is why more and more people are getting attracted towards meditation and Pranayama. It is easy to learn this art however difficult it is to practice it and perfection take a very long time - A month sometimes, even years and perhaps even a lifetime can be spent perfecting this art, and thus a lot of patience will have to be practiced. On the contrary the effect of exercises can be seen very easily on the body and the practitioners get disillusioned that exercises in itself are Yoga.

The advancement in Pranayama is slow because first the breaths have to be balanced and then the mind. This is the melody of Dhyana. It is vital that Pranayama be connected to the mind rather that getting dwindled into a mere mechanical exercise. Hathayoga Pradipika says that like man slowly tames wild animals like lion, elephants and tigers so also he should tame his own breath. Then only can he really enjoy the experience of yoga.

In our next series we will discuss about the different kinds their different methods and the different benefits of performing Pranayama.

Pranayama : We talked about the definition of Pranayama and Pran-sakthi in the previous article In this article, we will talk about the types of Pranayama, the procedure to practice Pranayama and of course, the benefits.

Pranayama is a scientific method of breathing. Take deep and long breaths through the nose. Before starting Pranayama, one should take 5 to 6 long and deep breaths through nose in order to relax the material body.

Exhalation or (Rechaka) : While exhaling, the abdominal muscles help to evacuate the lungs by raising the diaphragm. Greater volume of fresh air should enter the lungs. Unless we first breathe out fully, it is impossible to breath in correctly.

Inhalation (Puraka) : Having emptied the lungs, the next step is to fill them up to the maximum possible extent. The total volume of air which the lungs are able to contain is known as the vital capacity, which is about six liters. Before one can contemplate to increase this capacity, full use must be made of what is already available. Scientific breathing enables the practitioner to do this.

Adequate supply of oxygen is essential for the proper functioning and vitality of the cells. It is therefore, vitally important to breath correctly so that every cell can receive oxygen.

Breath Retention (Kumbhaka) : Holding breath, systematically, both before inhalation and exhalation is called Kumbhaka. Before exhaling, holding the breath for few seconds is known as Antara Kumbhaka and before inhaling, holding the breath for few seconds is knows as Bahaya Kumbhaka.

The practice of breath hold out in midst of Pranayama enables the increase of heat in the body and thereby longevity. It also enables increase of concentration beside physical and mental power. Kumbhaka should not be practiced by those below 15-16 years of age and those suffering from hypertension, heart diseases, asthma and ulcer.

Simple Pranayama

1. Naadi Shudhi-purification of subtle perception paths
2. Sit erect in Padmasana or any other meditative posture exhaling completely.
3. Right hand's thumb must be lightly placed on the right nostril. Take long, deep and steady breaths from the left nostril. Feel that breath is passing into you.
4. Now place the right hand ring finger on left nostril. Lift up the right thumb from right nostril and empty out the breath. Make a round, intake from left and breathe out from the right nostril.
5. Inhalation and exhalation should be of same duration. Combine Kumbhaka with this in the ratio of 1:4:2. If you inhale in four seconds, retain the breath for 16 seconds and then exhale in 8 seconds. The above can always be improved with more and more practice.
6. Initially, 5 to 9 rounds is recommended, but after more practice, one can go upto 20 to 25 rounds daily.
7. Early morning and late evenings are good time for the above practice.

The benefits of above practice may be seen in 4 to 6 months time. This leads to purification of Nadi's. There are supposed to be 7.2 million nadi's in the body. This is very beneficial before sitting in meditation as it helps to improve concentration. It also lightens the body, improves brightness of eyes, and digestion system. It helps to reduce hypertension and anxieties.

Bhastrika : In Sanskrit, Bhastrika means bellows. Just as a blacksmith blows his bellows rapidly, the same way one has to blow the breaths.

Sit in a calm meditative posture with straight backbone. Inhale breath with force and speed from both nostrils. The stomach and chest will balloon up and shrink fast too. Practice this for ten times. Inhale deep, retain the breath, as long as comfortable and exhale. This will complete one round. One can easily go unto ten rounds. Take 2-3 deep breaths after each round to avoid tiredness. This type of Pranayama leads to high speed circulation of blood with increased heat. The further progress on rounds should strictly be done according to one's own capacity and comfort levels. Patients of hypertension and heart should not practice this.

The benefits are plenty. Inflammatory diseases of the nose and chest, asthama, gas wind etc. can be cured or prevented. It creates extra strength in the body. If combined with Kumbhaka, it regenerates vital energy of the body. It also purifies the nervous system.

Sitali (Beak tongue pranayama) : Fold the tongue like a tube lengthwise and push it out of mouth. Inhale, through the tongue with a hissing, Siiiiiiiiii, sound. Both the cheeks swollen like balloon with breath retained as long as comfortable. In order to help hold breath, one may lower chin so as to touch throat. Lift up the chins, and release breath slowly through nostrils. The remaining breath may be vented out through mouth. Practice this for six times. This can be done even while standing.

Sadant (Breath through teeth Pranayama) : Press the upper teeth on the lower ones. Slowly breath in through gaps of teeth's with a hissing sound like Siiiiiiiiii. While breathing in, feel the coolness of air taken in. Allow the breath to stop automatically. Exhale through both nostrils. Repeat the cycle as much as one can do, comfortably.

Both Sitali and Sadant are cooling pranayama. The cool feelings helps to calm down the mind by removing tension and anxiety. The respiratory system becomes more vigorous. It helps to reduce pyorrhea and hypersensitivity of gums. It is particularly useful during summer season. These Pranayama may not be practiced in extreme winter and humid weather.

Bhramari (Bee sounding pranayama) : Sit in padmasana or any other meditative posture. Breath in long and deep, through both nostrils. Hold breath for some time as according to one's capacity. Exhale slowly through nostrils, very slowly so as to produce a humming sound like a female bee. Repeat the cycle several time.

There will be vibrations in the entire body including ears and face. With continuous practice, the vibrations spreads like a ring around the body and thereby helps in relaxing body and easing tension. It also helps in improving concentration. It is also known as door step to meditation. In public meditation, the humming sweet sound, generated out of this pranayama from different people sitting around, help increase concentration. It helps reduce anger and fear. Everybody can do this pranayama including BP and heart patients.

Pranayama is a key methodology towards good and balanced health. It is advisable that the starters must do it under guidance until they become perfect.

Food and Health : Food has been given a very significant place in our lives because it is our primary requirement. It is our basic need because it is the source of mental and physical energy. The food that we eat, not only effects our body and the efficiency of our mind but directly effects our nature and habits. The Knowledge of balanced diet is therefore indispensable to "Good health".

"Balanced diet" has also been discussed in Yoga science. However its reference is not akin to the diet tables provided to us by the modern day dieticians giving daily requirements of fat, proteins and minerals etc. We will discuss briefly the relation between Food and health.

"Aahar" ( Sanskrit for food) as described in Yoga.

Aahar or food not only means the intake of food orally but it also incorporates the air and the sunlight received by us through the pores of our skin.

The energy requirements for all our physical and mental activities is derived from the food we eat. The brain requires 20 volts of power for its day to day functioning which is assimilated from glucose and oxygen. Excessive intake of food requires more energy for digestion. Energy is limited, the surplus consumption of energy by the digestive system means less energy for all our mental activities. The excessive temptation towards food is accompanied by our dwindling intellectual activities. Would any sensible man like it ?

According to medical science anger, moodiness, immoderacy of temperament, short temperedness are diseases of the human mind. They originate due to an increase in the percentage of uric acid in the body which is caused due to the reduction of enzymes in the body which in turn depend upon a balanced diet.

According to Yoga science a balanced diet is important but what is more important is excretion. Food is essential as it is the source of all life activities. The body absorbs the essential ingredients from food and then excretes the waste. But if there is any imbalance in the food intake, it results in disrupting this natural process. The large intestines are not the only place where waste accumulates, it does so even in each and every tiny cell of the body. Modern dieticians believe that good health requires 80% Alkaline acids and 20 % acidic ones. Excessive eating, eating at short intervals and eating without hunger i.e. lacking the appropriate knowledge of food results in increase of the concentration of the acidic ........ acidic... are negative and alkaline. .......are positive elements.. In order to maintain the right proportion between the two a third important aspect comes into picture, which is Anshan( fasting).

According to yoga science human body organs such as kidney, heart and liver are capable of functioning for a span of 300 years. But due to improper food intake their life span decreases. The digestive system is over burdened when there is an excessive acidic elements in the body. Ways have been suggested to excrete the foreign particles in the body, they are.

1. Anshan
2. Restrained eating.
3. Forgoing the desire of the taste buds.

It is true that energy is derived through food, but then dullness is also caused due to excessive eating. Eating more than what is needed by the body reduces the benefits of food. To digest food the digestive organs will have to work more, the energy of the body is thus lost on this and the other body organs are thus deprived of this essential body energy. Due to the excessive work load the discretory organs become weak and are unable to perform their functions, and so a lot of toxic waste accumulates in the body. To give rest to the digestive system it is important to fast (Anshan). At least once a week it is important to give the digestive system some rest. Not every body can perform a full day fast, for that purpose restrained eating(unodari) or overcoming the temptations of the taste buds ( Ras Parityag ) can also be a solution. Some other factors that can determine the healthiness of your internal organs are age, seasons, exercises etc. In addition to all this the place and the way the food is taken is also very important. Food should be eaten in healthy, clean surroundings, it should not be eaten under any sort of stress, sorrow, anxiety of any sort, nor should food be eaten in an untimely hour. If any body eats under such circumstances then the food will not get properly digested.

In ancient days people kept a fast on full moon nights. The astrologists believe that human mind gets directly effected by the moon. Curiously enough according to many researches it has been found that the number of crimes committed on full moon nights is much more then ordinary.

Why is it is so?

This means that the moon has a direct impact on human body. The reason is that human body is consisted of 80% fluids. And moon is a well known to effect the motion of water on earth, on full moon nights there are high tides. Henceforth the human body is most effected on a full moon night. It is believed that during these days the mind and the body should be given adequate rest and a good way to perform this is Fasting. If we have want to keep our digestive system healthy then we will have to understand the importance of food. A day before performing Dhyana (meditation) a light meal should be taken. On fast days it is advisable to drink lukewarm water , lime water or a fruit juice. The next day breakfast should be very light preferably something liquid followed by a light lunch as well.

A meal should be divided into four parts, two parts for food, one part for water and one part for air. This means that one should eat less then stomachful. After eating the stomach should feel light because then there is not too much pressure on the digestive system. There should be atleast 3-4 hour difference between every meal, otherwise the digestive juices will not be formed and the digestion would thus remain incomplete thus resulting in constipation. The waste will get collected in the large intestines and kidneys and cause acidity. Sometimes patients suffering with gas problem complain of having heart trouble, this is merely due to gas. This might result in breathing disorders, the immunity sytem of the body gets reduced and the mood becomes irritable.

Another way to keep the digestive system healthy is by overcoming the desire of the taste buds.

1) Sugar 2) Salt 3) Milk 4)Ghee 5) Oil are to be taken sometime and other times they should be avoided. For example a day should be assigned for avoiding all foodstuffs in which excess of ghee is present, other days should be assigned for avoiding salt or milk or oil etc. If the percentage of any of these has increased then by performing this the ratio of same would get balanced once again. At least once a week the same should be performed conscientiously.

There is a deep founded relationship between the sun and our digestive system as well. The digestive system becomes slow and weak during the night. Avoid taking food an hour after sunset and if at all keep to very liquid diet. According to Medical reports 10 percent of the population today suffers from acidity. In one time too many different type of food stuffs should not be taken. The reason for this is that the digestive system does not have the capacity to digest so many different type of food Ras (properties).

Eating a proper diet is also an art but today the life in the metropolitan cities has become so automated and mechanical that the food we eat and the way we eat has also become mechanical. Today’s man is so busy that he has time for everything but time to eat. While eating he is performing multiple functions like reading the newspaper, working, watching television or listening to and solving family or business problems etc. By doing this the mind will not be involved with the act of eating only the teeth and the stomach will be performing a function. The most important thing that has to be taken care of is that food should be eaten in a calm and relaxed state of mind. If the mind is tensed, angry, worried, anxious, or if the food is taken very late at night then such food will not get properly digested or not produce the digestive juices properly. Just like our body needs health tonics so also does our mind. The food has direct impact on our mind and our thinking. The mind is related to electric waves and chemicals. These chemicals are formed from the food we eat. The food we eat directly effects the body chemicals, these in turn effect all our mental activities which effect our day to day behavior, thoughts and ultimately actions/personality. This is all inter-related and goes in a circle, until and unless this art is not properly understood we can ameliorate our health and ultimately our personality.

"Food" should also be linked to "Preksha", while having food only food should be eaten meaning complete attention should be paid to it. Right from the first bite that is eaten and chewed observe and feel the different taste of the food, then feel the food passing down the throat food pipes to the intestines and the stomach. By doing this one’s awareness towards food will also get increased, our chewing capacity will get increased, the work that our teeth and jaw is to perform will not be left on the intestines. We will become more cognizant to the taste and the values of the food we eat, upon practice we can even get to know which taste belongs to which particular food. By mixing other things in vegetables, salad, milk or any other food stuffs to increase the taste of same we will actually reduce the natural values of the food. Gradually with time one can even appropriate the right values of food product. We will be able to perform the function of a doctor for the self, we can get to know which food has what effects on the body.

The circle of life directly depends upon food we eat, just from the food one takes it is easy to know the personality of a person. Only the food which has been taken with the right knowledge Hit, Mit and Satvik (ie taking what is good for the self, the quantity, and its effect on the body into consideration) is actually healthy. Keeping this into mind, factors such as climate, one’s age, place and the requirements of one’s body have to be kept in consideration. Quantity means the awareness of what has to be eaten in how much quantity. Even if ambrosial food is taken in too much quantity it will take tyhe form of poison. The food which relaxes the mind and gives no immoral thought is innately good or Satvik./The food which gives placidity and because of which no scathing thoughts come the mind is satvik food.

For a better and healthy living the practice of taking good food is of vital importance to the body, by and by as the practice of good food increases so also do the juices in our body undergo a change. With that there is a major change in one’s thinking and behavior and thus a beginning to a new and beautiful life. Then one can freely say that whatever has not happened till now has finally happened.

We and Colours : Aura, Leshya and Color Therapy : Around every person there is a circle of rays blind to the naked eye. It consists of microscopic waves knitted together like a web akin to the microscopic particles of cotton. The formation and the quality of this circle of ray depends upon the thought wave present inside the mind of the respective person at a point of time. Depending upon the purity of thought this ever present circle of rays keeps changing its colors and size. This circle of rays is called Aura.

Changes at physical level originates from the changes at subtle body level. Hence by studying the aura, it is possible to identify changes in advance. Every individual possess their own aura which is normally different from other person/s. A halo is the purer form of an aura and is only present around a few pure souled people. A halo is like the circle of enlightenment that we paint around very holy people.

Sun light has seven colors, so also does an aura. Even animals, plants and non-living objects possess an aura, however, their aura do not change, it remain constant. American scientist Dr.J.C. Trust has photographed human aura with extremely sensitive microscopic camera. She believes that people who are very mean have an impure and dull looking aura around them, while pure hearted people have a bright shining aura. Various colors of aura are interpreted as golden yellow represents spiritualism, light blue represents curative ability, pink represents love and affection, red represents lust and anger, green represents intelligence, smoky grey represents serious sickness; gloomy and dull or imminent death.

Even thoughts come in different colors to the extent that Jainism has nomenclature the color of thoughts as Leshya. The type of thought a person makes his behavior and ultimately his nature which in turn governs the type of his Leshya. Violent people with a bent towards sadism possess grey or black colored Leshya. Philanthropic’s will possess bright lemon or bright orange color. Snow white color will represent purest level of thoughts.

The thought wave and the aura can be changed through Leshya meditation. Leshya meditation is a part of Preksha meditation and is called leshya, as it deals with colors.

There are seven colors which have a direct impact on the human body. Colors are merely a part of light. Colors are formed on 49th frequency of light. Colors are negative and light is positive. The visible world of ours is a world of colors. Therefore, colors have an impact on the body, mind and thoughts. Violence and rage have their own color and odor. In Jain philosophy violence is supposed to have five different colors. While some people feel immense happiness in hurting others, some feel less satisfied at it. Some cannot even kill an ant. What is the reason for this? If we look at it in depth, then we can realize that it is due to the varying Leshya’s.

Scientists and psychologists believe that colors have a profound influence on our lives. Color sets the moods and this in turn affects our endocrine and nervous systems.

A strange incident took place in former Soviet Union in a school. The students of a particular school were found to be extremely aggressive. While analyzing reasons for aggressiveness, it was discovered that the class room walls were painted red with red curtains. The excess of red color had a direct impact on their behavior because the red color activated their nervous system and blood pressure to such an extent that they started becoming violent. This is so because the red rays increase the heat and the strength of the body. The curtains and wall color was changed to a pleasant blue color and soon everything became normal. Hence, colors leave a direct impact on human mind.

Color therapy : Each organ of our body is associated with a specific color. Heart, liver kidneys, blood, bones, flesh and nerves has it’s own special color. Even the microscopic cells also possess color. The speech, thoughts and feelings are also believed to be colored. Whenever the equilibrium of colors in an organ is weakened one becomes ill. By color therapy, the balance is restored, it can be used to cure psychosomatic illnesses and mental imbalances.

There is a deep relationship between colors and thoughts. The aura around us is the combined effect of the energy of the electric body, the electro-magnetic field and the rays of the sun. The aura will be just as bright and light in color as the thoughts are pure. The purer the thoughts of a person, the brighter and lighter will be the aura around him. The aura determines the state of health of a person. The thoughts are related to the mind and knowledge of a person. Thoughts, memory, analyzing and forming a definite stand on any issue are all different branches of knowledge. Thoughts are related to nervous system and emotions are related to the endocrine glands. There are two organs which exhibit this, glands and nervous system. Emotions have it’s own colors. Through color meditation, it is possible to change these colors, thereby bring about a change in behavior. One can get rid of both mental and physical weakness, by continuously meditating on colors.

Technique : The technique consists of first attaining full concentration on a particular psychic centre and then visualising a specific bright color on the centre. After two three minutes visualise that color radiating from the centre, spreading all around the body. In color therapy, one must always perceive bright colors for the desired results. However, before attempting the practice of color therapy the practitioner must be thoroughly proficient in relaxation or kayotsarg, perception of breath and perception of body and psychic centres.

Table 1

Psychic Centre

Color

Intense Willing

Centre of bliss

Emerald green

Freedom from negative attitudes.

Centre of purity

Peacock neck blue

Self control

Centre of intuition

Rising sun red

Awakening of intuition, bliss

Centre of wisdom

Golden yellow

Clarity of thought

Centre of enlightment

Full moon white

Subsidence of anger and other states of agitation and excitement.


Table 2

Psychic Centre

Endocrine Gland

Location

Centre of energy

Gonads

Bottom end of the spine naval.

Centre of Bio Electricity

Adrenals

Naval

Centre of bliss

Thymus

Near the heart

Centre of purity

Thyroid

Throat

Centre of intuition

Pituitary

Middle of the two eye brows

Centre of enlightenment

Pineal

Centre of the forehead

Centre of wisdom

Cerebral Cortex

Top of the head

 

 

 

 

Importance & Impact of color : Colors are a part of the light. Light is a frequency. The light that we can see with our naked eyes is formed on the 49th frequency of light, i.e. color. The colors that we can see become visible in that form only on the basis of different frequencies. In the red color alone there are 436 billion frequencies in one second. In violet color there are 73 billion frequencies in one second. Color is the method to cure diseases. It corrects the imbalance caused in the body. The food that we get of the flora is actually a representation of mere colors in a solid form. Every organ of the body have it’s own color. Like liver and kidney are reddish brown while heart is dark pink. Every endocrine glands have their own color. They can be activated by using colors.

Red : The color red is an element of fire. Red is hot in nature. This color activates the nervous system and blood. It also improves the functioning of the five senses and hence this has a direct impact on our knowledge. It activates the cerebra spinal fluid. Red rays have a positive effect on the liver and the muscles. They ionize and help in breaking the alkaline element of the body. Without red, the body becomes incapable of accepting anything from outside. The red color stimulates the right side of the brain. According to color specialist, the red color acts as a shield against all diseases. However, if red color is used in excess, then it may cause fever and lethargy. Blue color should also be used along with this.

Green : The green color is composed of nitrogen gas. It is symbol of energy and useful for mental and physical health. It makes the muscles, bones and cells stronger. It reduces the tension in the blood pressure and blood arteries. It activates the pituitary glands. It is also considered antiseptic in nature.

Yellow : Yellow color is not a complete color in itself. It is a mixture of red and green and for that reason it have qualities of both. It revitalizes the cells. It has a positive electro magnetic energy. It activates the mind. Yellow color represents the brain. By meditating on this color, the mental weakness and depression is cured. It is a heralder of joy and happiness.

Orange : It is a mixture of yellow and red color. It is therefore of more heat then that of yellow and red color. It effects the breath and stimulates the thyroid. The vibration of this color opens any congestion in the lungs and strengthens them, increase the milk in mother’s breasts and help the pancreas.

Blue : Blue color basically effects blood. It acts as a tonic for the blood. Vocal chord (Vishudhi Chakra) meditation on it makes the mind calm. It is a harbinger of truth, peace, faith and authenticity

Indig : Indigo makes the thyroid glands inactive and activate the para thyroid glands. It purifies the blood and it calms the breath. the practitioner is supposed to stare with complete awareness at this indigo color with dark glasses and becomes totally averse to any of his problems in the body. This is so because it takes the human mind to such a high frequency that the person totally loses consciousness of his pain.

Violet : Violet stimulates the upper portion of the mind. The color violet is said to give nutrition to the upper part of the brain, purifies the blood and helps in strengthening bones. It helps in curing the extremely violent and murderous people. This is so because it makes the person very lethargic thus curing his temper. It controls excessive yearning for hunger. Some scholars believe that violet color is ten times better for achieving good results in meditation.

Lemon : This color rouses the mind. Thymus gland has uranium. It is helpful in the growth of the body. By lack of uranium in the thymus gland the growth of the body gets stunted. This color activates the thymus. It is a combination of green and yellow color.

White : This color is the symbol of peace, purity and salvation. White color is a sort of awareness in the body which is different from physical, mental and emotional awareness. Self realization is the ultimate goal of meditation. Meditating on white color like that of a full moon develops the highest degree of pure emotions. It creates an even outlook to life, either in joy or in pain. None of the current happenings, either good or bad, can carry away us with it. Meditation on white color reduces aggressiveness, tensions, worries, anger, animosity.

Colours - Meditation and Curing Diseases : How do the colors effect the mind and affect diseases?

Different doctors will have different view points on this. Despite diverse views, there is one proven opinion that rays of colors directly effect our endocrine and nervous system. Professor Alexander of American Institute of Bio-social Research believes that electro-magnetic energy developed through colors influences in a unknown way to our Pituitary and Pineal glands and through that it reaches to Hypothalamus in the brain.

Hypertension : Perform Kayotsarg by leaning on the right side for ten minutes. Then perform Pranayama by inhaling and exhaling air from the left side of the nose ie chandrabedi. Then meditate for ten minutes on a blue color (shining peacock blue). Now give yourself repeated self suggestion that my nervous system is relaxed and my blood pressure is under control. You can put it in different words as you like.

Irritable Nature : The exercise prescribed for curing an irritable nature is Shashanka Asana (Moon posture) and other exercise for the backbone like serpent posture, locust posture and bow posture. Performing Kayotsarg for a minimum of ten minutes can also be helpful. Meditate on white color on the area of Jyoti kendra, the region between the eye brows and then meditate green color on the Ananda kendra, the area between the centre of chest near the heart for ten minutes and repeat the self suggestion that ‘ I am gaining love for the whole humanity and becoming peaceful’. Increased intake of vitamin A, minerals and iron will also help in change of behavior.

Physical Tension : Perform some loosening exercise’s as described below.

With deep breath, bend the head backwards and then bring the head down i.e. touch the chin to the vocal region while breathing the air out. This can be done five times.

Turn the head towards the right side breathing the air in, the chin should touch the shoulders, while breathing the air out turn the head towards the left side.

Turn the neck in a clockwise circular motion and then return the head in a anti- clockwise direction five times.

Bend the elbows and touch the shoulders then move the hands in circular motion that is clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. This exercise should be performed five times in clockwise and five times in a anti-clockwise direction.

Now close the fist and keeping the hands absolutely straight rotate the hands in a circular motion. Once again five times in a clock wise motion and five times in anti clockwise motion.

Stretch the hands in front of you and tighten the fists then rotate the fist in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

Then imagine holding a ball inside your fists very hard, bring this imaginary ball towards you with a lot of force and then equallly hard push the ball out. You are advised to first see this step and then practice.

Bend the waist upwards to an angle of 45 degree. Breathe the air completely out and then quickly perform in-out movements of the stomach. Then take deep long breaths come back to the original position.

Bring the hands upwards towards the head and then stretch them as much as possible while breathing out slowly bring the hands in front and touch the feet’s with the hands, likewise come upwards while breathing the air in. Perform this five times.

While breathing the air inside, bring the hands parallel to the floor and then turn the palms towards the roof, while breathing the air out bring the hand upwards towards the head and touch it to the head and then bend towards the other side. At the same time the other hand should try to reach as low as possible towards the other side. Maintain the posture for as long as possible. Then perform this on the other side in a similar fashion.

While breathing air stand on the toes and stretch the hands above the head, while breathing the air out bring the hands back, perform this five times.

In a similar fashion perform the same exercise while standing on the heels instead of the feet’s, by doing this one can get rid of pains in the heels and toes.

Bend the knees and move the knees in both clockwise and anti clockwise direction.

Then bring the hands in front of the body palms facing downwards and touch the knees to the palms. Perform this five times. Now hit the hips with the heels of the legs. Now bend legs and hit the side of your with buttocks.

Mental Tension : Perform Pranayama with slow bhastrika. Meditating on white color gives coolness to the mind. Give yourself suggestions of increasing humanity and friendliness with brotherhood feelings. If tension is caused by anger then meditate on white color i.e. on the Jyoti kendra and the whole forehead and repeat to yourself that you are gaining patience. If the tension is caused by fear then perform Padmasana, kayotsarg, deep breathing and meditate on pink color on the Ananda Kendra. If the tension is due to excessive passions, then perform Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Sasanka Asana.

Perform body preksha for ten minutes and repeat to yourself that everything is changeable including the body, relationships and the physical world present around us and bring about a feeling of detachment for the material world.

The Lifestyle of a Good Jain : There are a lot of problems related to our day-to day life, one of them is good health. By making a little change in our lifestyle we can get be masters of good health. Lifestyle has a direct relation to health, and health is directly related to body, mind and emotions. All these three are related to self control. Henceforth, lifestyle has three major characteristics.

* Self Control ( Upshaman)
* Balance (Samata)
* Suppression (Upshaman )

Without exercising self control no great deed is possible. If all the three have to be perfected then self control will have to be first perfected otherwise the possibility of a good life will remain a mere dream. Generally the meaning of self control is considered very limited. According to Patanjali, self control itself is dhyana, dharana, Samadhi. In the words of Lord Mahavira and in the present scientific age through the control of the brain can self - control can gained.

Let us take a quick look at the different parts of our mind. Emotional brain is a part of the brain. It is in this half that feelings such as anger, fear, jealousy, passions(Kasaya), greed, peace etc. arise. If we can control the emotional brain then self control will be possible.

There is another half of the mind where positive and negative feelings are felt. Just like one person will feel extremely happy about something while the other will be totally averse towards it. For e.g. one person likes classical music and the other likes rock or heavy metal. Likewise every person's capacity to bear pain also varies. All these thoughts are directly dependent upon our mind. It depends upon the brain to give messages to the whole body.

To run the body some other organs play a vital role they are - the bacbone, the nervous system and the endocrine system. The gift of science to the common man today is the knowledge is Genes and DNA. Where all thoughts are originated, destroyed and their extent is determined. In Adhayatama there is principle called Karma Siddhanta (Action principle) and a part of it is called Nama Karan Karma ( Trans migrating body), meaning with any soul Jeeva Karma Pudgal (matter substance) get attached and travel with him from one birth to another. They determine the sex, place, environment, colour, height, age, nature that a soul or a Jeeva will ultimately take. Even physiologist believe that the shape, lifespan, or any possible disease etc that might happen to a persons are dependent upon his genes.

Coming back to our major topic man knows what is good or harmful for his body. Yet he keeps losing self control and is unable to lose habits that are a detrimental to his health. What is the reason that he loses his self control?

Before finding the answer we will have to look into some of the reasons for bad health.

* Diet- excessive and unfavourable diet
* Physical work - lack of physical movements
* Sleep - improper sleeping habits
* Speech - wasting one's energy in useless speech wastes the life and genetic energy
* Celibacy - In to Ayurveda celibacy has been considered to be the major pillars of a healthy life. Lord Rama condemned polygamy.

A majority of alpha waves causes the mind to relax. When feelings such as anger, jealousy and selfishness arise the mind cannot produce alpha waves. Due to this the nervous system gets weak and diseases such as ulcer, acidity, blood pressure, heart trouble become rampant. Infant with the exception of accidental diseases it becomes the major cause of all diseases. "Madhava Nidhan" believes that the one of the cause for a weak heart is greed.

How to achieve self control?

One of the ways to achieve this self control is Anupreksha. To link emotions to the brain waves is Anupreksha. To control the mind we have decided a route, in which the emotions or thoughts have a prime importance, by repeating the thoughts again and again they becomes ingrained in the mind and the body accepts the same. We can effect the Leshya through emotions and thus change our Leshya. Human physiologists believe that through emotions we can strengthen the endocrine and nervous system. Through constant commands we can control our nervous system and thus our brain. The question is what sort of command do we give to the brain? Through Anuprekha we can give the right sort of command.

Has there been a stage in your life when you felt excessively detached from the world and had no desire to live?

Or is it that you feel excessively attached to a person or an object that it is impossible for you to perceive life without it?

The truth is that such a stage arises in every person's life. So what is the answer? The solution is simple (Anitya Anupreksha) i.e. Impermanent Anupreksha.

In this we give repeated suggestions to our mind that everything in this world is destructible and impermanent. Any diseases, wealth, human relations are all subject to impermanence, and what is impermanent is destructible. By repeating this the excessive love for that object or person will get controlled. When such a situation arises the mind becomes balanced and gets conditioned to bear great grief or loss. Likewise to control excessive anger forgiveness should be practised, to control greed contentment can be practised. If a person is in a state of illness he can evoke feelings that the soul is never invalid or diseased. The mind should constantly be given commands such as "I am physically, mentally and emotionally a healthy person". This will bring miraculous results.

Yet another method of controlling the mind is through controlling the breath. If the breath is controlled and both the nostrils are activated then mind will automatically get controlled and the body will be filled with abundant energy. If along with all this our five senses are controlled a healthy mind can be cultivated.

This is your secret to a beautiful and happy life and the bigger secret is "Don't let it remain a secret!".

 

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Source : Compiled Form the works of Acharya Mahapragya Ji By Smt. Vidya Jain

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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
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