The book of Life
December 2004
By Acharya Shree Dhruv
Preksha dhyan enables us to read the treatise of our life, unravelling the mysteries contained within ourselves, says the guru of the terapanth jain sect
Life is a big book, and its words are written in so subtle a script that it cannot be read by the naked eye. Although we ourselves have done the actual writing, amazingly, we don’t know how to read it.
The method of studying this treatise of life is unique. It must be read with closed eyes, with perfect mental stability and calmness. Without awakening intuition, nobody can properly undertake this study. When impulses are stilled and calmness pervades, the capacity to access this knowledge is enhanced. By following the rules of concentration, self-awareness and relaxation, it is possible to attune oneself to this great source of self-knowledge.
Source of bliss and power
The treatise of life is full of infinite mysteries, and unless you learn to read it, the mysteries remain unknown. People who have read the treatise discover a source of infinite knowledge, infinite intuition, infinite bliss and infinite power.
We presently tend to associate happiness with material objects, but the student of the book of life avails of bliss even without external materials. Bliss that is independent of material objects can be sought only within oneself. Mahavira remained without food and water for more than six months, but his bliss went on increasing, because he was unmoved by external temptations.
Preksha Dhyan
Preksha Dhyan is a method of understanding the subtle word, the method of reading the script of life. This is the first step towards moving from gross awareness to the subtle.
The first chapter of this treatise is the body, the second chapter is related to heredity, and the third is dedicated to the environment. The first chapter is big; it is the basis of all else. It is rather complicated, profound, and difficult to grasp. The second and third chapters are comparatively smaller and they supplement the first chapter.
The body is divided into three parts, including the unknown, the lesser known and the known. One part of our body is so fine that it is difficult to perceive. The unknown part of the body, which cannot be seen, has many different kinds of subtle vibrations. Through the practice of meditation, our attention gets focused and empowered, so that we gradually develop the power to recognize the various vibrations emanating from both the gross and the subtle body. Then we can begin to study the script, having established contact with it.
The Preksha Dhyan practitioner starts reading the gross first. The grossest is our aura, which works concurrently with the gross body. The aura enables us to know the secrets of disease, the conduct, behaviour and nature of a person, empowering us to read some part of the book of life. Power is assessed by the study of the internal energy and bioelectricity.
A practitioner of Preksha Dhyan is keenly aware of the flow of vital energy within the body. Without refined awareness of the flow of the vital energy, the treatise cannot be read. The vital power coursing through the body is the bioelectric power, which is the source of all our actions.
Imprint of heredity
The second chapter in the treatise of life is related to heredity. Let us consider the following story to understand how heredity may influence behaviour. There were four wise and intelligent poets in a king’s court, whom he much esteemed. They could readily recite verses that offered special insight into every situation. One day, the king asked the poets to help him know himself better. One poet advised the king to drop the query, but it only served to arouse his curiosity, and he insisted on an answer. The poets shut their eyes, and recited four lines that revealed the truth about the king. The last line said, “O king, you are the son of a female slave.” The king was stunned, and asked how they knew this. The poets replied, “We have served you for so long, unfolding the biggest mysteries before you, and in return you have only offered us food. An authentic king could not grant such a petty reward. It could only come from the son of a slave.” On enquiry, the king found that indeed his mother was a slave.
Miracle of the environment
The third chapter is on environment. In the epic of life, the environment has an important role to play. Once upon a time, a king went hunting. On his way, he saw hanging on the door of a house, a cage with a parrot in it. On seeing the king, the parrot said, “Come on, let us go stealing.” The king moved on, and eventually came to a hermitage. There too a cage was hanging, with another parrot in it. On seeing the king, the parrot said courteously, “Please come in; you are most welcome.”
The king went up to the parrot and said, “I met another parrot on my way which invited me to steal, while you are soft-spoken. What is the secret of this sharp difference between the two of you?” The parrot said, “O king, both of us are brothers. My brother lives with robbers and uses their language. I live with saints; I hear their language, imitate their conduct and so my speech has become sober, serene and welcoming.” This is the miracle of atmosphere and environment.
It is paramount for us to know how to live life purposefully. We should hold in esteem and embrace this philosophy of life, which enables us to assimilate the lessons of our inner script. I wholeheartedly wish that all people should do this in order to lead a life full of bliss, power and knowledge.
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