Preksha Dhyan Can Heat Heart Diseases

By Mr. Arvind K. Jain Gelra

Various discoveries have caused unprece­dented development in the field of science. However, it is interesting to find that the momentous discoveries have sometimes come from the most unexpected quarters. One of such discoveries is Preksha Dhayana-the work of an Indian scholar and saint Acharya Sri Mahapragya Ji. In fact, it is not an invention, but he has revived ancient Jain method of transcendental meditation. This is the method devised to give complete relaxation to the mind and the body.

This era is full of lust for physical things which is causing a lot of stress and strain in the life leading to various psychological diseases. Out of many diseases arising from stress, cardiac diseases are of grave concern because they are the leading cause of death all over the world. The incidence of these diseases has increased manifold in the past two decades. Preksha Dhyan is one of the alternative methods of medicine. Before discussing the effect of meditation on these diseases I will like to say a few words about Preksha itself. Preksha means to enter from inside and once you become an observer and not a doer it gives immense rest and peace of mind and body. There are 8 parts of Preksha to name them:

(1) kayotsarga (2) antar yatra (journey into the world of the self) (3) respiratory (swans) Preksha (4) Body (kaya) Preksha (5) Chetanya (6) Leshya Dhyan (7) Bhavna (8) Anu Preksha.

In these steps we can practise Preksha Dhyan, It requires a lot of time to master all these steps but with devotion one can practise Preksha Dhyan completely.

It is postulated that Preksha Dhyan acts via altering activities of nervous system and endocrine system. Wellace has stated that transcendental meditation techniques produce restful alertness of mind, reduce oxygen consumption, carbondioxide elimination and reduce arterial lactate concentrations and decrease in cardiac output by 25%. It has been proved by many authors that meditation produces a state of wakeful hypometabolism stage and hence gives rest to all the organs of the body. But this state produced by Preksha is different from sleep. EEG changes recorded during various TM activities show significant more alpha activity than control group showing that there is significant psycho­physiological deexcitation meaning a state of restful alterness. Ferguson and Gowan have noted that TM programmes help in development of personalities of persons increasing self­actualization. Hence it can be concluded that Preksha Dhyana has direct effect on the nervous system.

Presently we see that in addition to increase in psychological problems there is increase in heart diseases als9. Various studies have been conducted to see the effect of Transcen­dental Meditation including Preksha Dhyan. The study was conducted to see the effect of Preksha on the patients of essential hypertension and Ishemic heart disease with stable angina pectoris.

These studies were conducted purely on clinical grounds and biochemical studies are yet to be done to find out the rationale of these clinical changes, that how they occur, mediated by various hormones or by direct effect on the heart and vessels.

A study of 25 patients with uncomplicated benign essential hypertension was conducted. All the patients were given the training of Preksha. The period of study included the onset of training and each individual used to perform meditation for half an hour per day. Results were studied after 6 months and were quite encouraging. Before meditation systolic BP were 141+11 mm Hg. Systolic and 86+7 mm Hg. Diastolic. The lowered BP were independent of whether subject were taking antihypertensive drugs or not.

Table - I
Change in BP in 25 Patients Before and After Preksha

The other set of patients were of stable angina pectoris within pre MI and …………..VII.

25 patients with documented angina pectoris were on the drugs in addition to performing Preksha Dhyana. TMT was repeated after 4 months and 6 month. All patients continued Preksha Meditation and there was no fall out. The mean increase in duration of exercise after meditation programme is 1.02 mts. The onset of ST segment depression was delayed by 55 sec. or 16% which is quite significant. In addition patients on Preksha Dhyana reported less anxiety, less need of tranquilisers, improved personal inter-relationship.

Table - II
Effect of Preksha Dhyan on Angina Pectoris

Hence, it is concluded that meditation in the form of Preksha Dhyana has got significant beneficial effect on the patients of stable angina pectoris and essential hypertension. The reason of this improvement is probably due to quienscence of sympathetic nervous system and some other factors which can be studied after long series and biochemical testing.

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Author : Mr. Arvind K. Jain Gelra is Assistant Professor of Medicine, S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur ( India ) and has carried research into the impact of Preksha Dhyan on heart patients.

Article Source : Anuvibha Reporter ( Special Issue : Dec. 2000 )
Ahimsa, Peacemaking, Conflict Prevention and Management Proceedings and Presentations
Fourth International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action ( IV ICPNA )
New Delhi : Nov. 10-14, 1999

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