In the present 21st century world, human life is filled with tremendous problems, stresses and tensions and to find a solution, people run behind astrologers and psychiatrists. In desperation, people even take to drinking liquor and consuming dangerous drugs which give temporary relief, but create more serious problems. The remedy does not lie in drugs or fantasy, but in the process of catharsis and development of the inherent powers. How to attain peace, progress and prosperity in our daily lives is the most common and significant question. Before attempting to offer suitable advice, we must discover the root cause of our problems.
Problems exist in our day-to-day life, either because of ignorance, or due to the superstitions and wrong, beliefs we carry in our mind set since ages eg. considering luck and fortune to be the creator of situations in life, or because of our pride, low will-power, or because of pramaad (stupor), laziness and lethargy or because of wrong way of living.
Ways to overcome problems:
1. Improve the Sankalp shakti i.e., making one’s will power strong.
2. Transforming the wrong and limiting beliefs into the truths by reflecting upon the knowledge given by the Omniscients Kevalis.
3. Remove the passions like pride, greed, deceit, conceit completely.
4. Possess and sustain an optimistic approach towards the problems of life and solve them diligently.
To adopt all this ways, the best tool is Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana. Today eminent doctors, specialists and general practitioners alike, have realized that meditation is the most powerful therapy both for healing and maintaining good health. Irrefutable scientific proofs now available show that this meditation and consciously achieved total relaxation can cure and prevent any number of psychosomatic diseases like hypertension, insomnia, diabetes, Rhobias which are caused by tension and stress.
Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is, in reality, the apparatus for controlling one’s irrational instincts of anger, aggression, cruelty, vindictiveness and fear. It is a tool for awakening and developing one’s consciousness reasoning and thereby modifying one’s attitude and behaviour to be truly worthy of being a human being.
Why is the same person sometimes virtuous and sometimes vicious? The answer is the effect of emotions.Recent scientific advances have shown that the irrational instincts and impulses emanate from the endocrines, and not from the brain. All the impelling forces are produced by the endocrine secretions called hormones. Hormones have profound influence upon the mental states and tendencies, behavioural patterns as well as emotions of an individual.
A pious resolution may, therefore, repress or suppress an evil urge but it is not potent enough to destroy it. And the repressed impulse simply goes ‘underground’ in the subconscious part of the mind, continues to fester there, and resurfaces with more vigor later on. Until one finds a potent weapon which can destroy the evil impulsive forces, one cannot achieve a lasting change of behavior. Such a potent weapon is Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana which percept the psychic centres - endocrines.
Higher level of consciousness achieved by regular practice of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana will (a) immensely strengthen the power of the unique human attribute – rational thinking and conscious reasoning, and (b) weaken the forces of irrational impulses and primal drives. The cumulative effect of this two- fold transformation would ultimately eradicate the psychological turmoil’s and irrational behaviour.
Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is a technique of meditation that aims at bringing about positive behavioural and emotional changes through overall development of personality. A farmer works in his field, does farming to yield and harvest crops. None of the farmers would toil for grass as it is obtained spontaneously along with the crop itself. In the same way, the main objective of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana isnot only to acquire physical health but also acquire physical goodness by eradicating all evil from one’s thought, speech and action. Through the practice of this sadhana, we make efforts to reach our higher consciousness level, consolidate our resolutions to experience the eternal bliss and see the transformations in the practical life.
JAIN ANUPPEHA DHYAN YOG SADHANA - MEANING
Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is the synchronization of Jain, Anuppeha, Dhyan, Yog and Sadhana.
1. Jain: Jain is one whose mind of deed, actions and thoughts are pure. This meditative technique helps enchancement of purity of mind along with following the path of good deeds. Jain word also denotes the fact that this technique is entirely based on Jain scriptures viz Jain Agamas.
2. Anuppeha: Anuppeha is a prakrit word which is the combination of two words ‘Anu’ and ‘Peha’. ‘Anu’ means subtle and ‘Peha’ means ‘to see’, to perceive, to contemplate, to visualize, toknow, to ponder upon. Thus Anuppeha means to contemplate on the subtle objects. Here seeing does not mean external vision, but careful concentration on subtle consciousness by mental insight.
Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is a system of meditation engaging one’s mind fully in the perception of subtle internal and innate phenomena of consciousness. It is a journey from koham to soham (who am I to I am soul) which leads to self – realisation. Thus the true meaning of Anuppeha is to see the inner self i.e., Atma. When man first opened his eyes, must have been astonished to see the infinite varieties of things and phenomena around him. In contrast, when he closes his eyes to meditate.He must have equally astonished with his capacity to look into the world within. This capacity of observing the self in association with the environs, as well as independently, can be achieved through Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana.
‘Anu’ also means back and ‘peha’ means to reflect. Thus Anupepeha means to reflect on the past, repent for it, clear the mistakes, make the present pleasant and resolve strongly to avoid the mistakes in future it.
3. Dhyan: Dhyan means meditation, contemplation, concentration, thought reflection and in general requalation of mind on one particular object. But here, Dhyan is referred as profound and abstract religious meditation, because a cat also concentrates on rat to catch it. That concentration doesn’t lead to the path of Spirituality, whereas, Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana make passions mild and hence the restless mind which is every moment moving towards agitation and fluctuation can be controlled very easily. In this way, Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhanais the art of self-awareness, cessation of the chatter of mind and achieving the focus of consciousness towards the self.
4. Yog: Tattvarth sutra quotes – “Kaayvangmana karma yogah” meaning the activities of mind, speech and body is collectively called yog.Mind plays a vital role in the activities of speech and body. Hence, as soon as control of mind is achieved through Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana, there is control over actions of body and speech also, which means total yog nigraha.
Yog also means “to join”, from this point of view, Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is the art of connecting Atma to Paramatma (supreme spirit).
“Sadhyam sadhyate iti sadhana”. The efforts made to fulfill, one’s destination, is called sadhana.
5. Sadhana: Through Sadhana of thismeditative technique, the aspirant reaches the state of self realization by restraining the activities of mind, speech and action.
REQUIRED PREPARATIONS FOR JAIN ANUPPEHA DHYAN YOG SADHANA
Prior preparations serve a great purpose of utilizing this technique in a proper manner. The requisites are as follows -
1. Faith: Sadhana without faith is directionless. Faith in the True Dev, Guru and Dharmawhich gives birth to spiritual growth. Right Faith activates the pineal and pituitary glands (Gyan and Darshan Kendra) developing the intuition power and enhancing the knowledge level too. Knowledge in turn awakens Faith in True Dharma.
2. Awareness: The truth is that most of us are not really conscious. We are semi-conscious, doing most of our activities in a robot-like manner.Are the doors and windows of your home constantly kept open so that everyone can enter? No, you admit into your house only those whom you approve to enter. So what about your mind? Why allow every passing thought to enter freely? There should be awareness, attention and full consciousness before doing any activity.Trying to be conscious and aware of the thoughts that pass through our minds is like being a watchman at the gate of the mind. This develops concentration, attention and will power. You gain the ability to avoid thoughts and worries that disturb you.
3. Peacefulness: There is a constant chatter in mind that does not allow focus of mind taking away greater portion of energy and time, which causes exertion and strain. Hence peacefulness is necessary for this meditation. In the same way a peaceful, silent, unique place is also essential because the outer surroundings also effects thoughts. Inner peace and outer both are important. Outer silence can lead to Inner Stillness.
4. Steadiness: In meditation the body has to be kept absolutely still and motionless, and this can only be done by the release of tensions by relaxation. As long as there is mental tension and the nerves are taut and highly strung up, how can one expect to perform meditation?
Steadiness of mind require steadiness of breath and the latter is acquired only with physical immobility.
Dhyan has utmost importance in Jain philosophy. It is regarded as one of the fundamental means of upliftment of soul. Jain Tradition in particular has always been cordated with steadfast spiritual practices and austerities. Among all the major 12 types of austerities Dhyan is regarded as the closest means of liberation as well as the best penance to shed the previous bound karmic particles.
The tradition of meditation in Jainism dates back to ancient times. Evidences in the Agamas (Jain Scripture) reveal that Bahubali, son of Lord Rishabh first Tirthankara (ford founder) of Jainism attained salvation after he practiced uninterrupted kayotsarg, a form of meditation for twelve months. It is believed that he was so immobile that even creepers grew around his body chakravarti Bharat, brother of Bahubali also attained seamless knowledge through contemplation and meditation. According to Acharanga Sutra, the 24th Tirthankara Bhagwan Mahavir Swami was engrossed in meditation for the maximum time during his Sadhana period, of twelve and half years. Lord Mahavir not only practiced to steadfast the frames of psyche, but also practiced to stabilize the vision. In this Sadhana, he used to concentrate on wall or mid point of eye brow or nasal tip or any point without winking his eyes. Acharanga Sutra is the clear evidence for Lord Mahavir having practiced various methods of both external and internal meditative techniques. He practiced meditation non-stuporously with complete serenity.
There are citations available to mention the regular practice of meditation among his ascetics and disciples. The precepts about the routine of a Jain Asceticmentioned in Uttaradhyayana Sutra says that an ascetic has to meditate during the second quarter(span of 3 hours) of the day and night. This indicates that dhyan sadhana is an essential part of ascetic life. Citations are also available of the Dhyan of Gajasukumalwho remained stable in inner consciousness even after burning coals were kept on his barred head. Meditation and Asanas are also expounded in certain chapters of sutrakritang, Bhagwati, and sthananga.
Kayotsarg is considered to be one among the Shadavashyak (six essentials) for a laity and that Kayotsarg a door to practice dhyan sadhana. Even in pratikraman, one gets a chance to practice kayotsarg many times. This tradition exists uninterruptedly even today. In this way, there are many citations in Jain Agamas.
The lator Jain Acharyas also contributed significantly towards the development of the practice of meditation. Acharya Kundakunda(1st cent., A.D.), wrote samayasara, pravacanasara and introduced a new way to meditate. Acharya ‘’umaswati (2nd and 3rd Cent. A.D.) edited Tattvartha Sutra in which he expounded the path to salvation through meditation. Acharya Bhadrabahi had practiced Mahaprana Meditation for twelve years. Acharya Haribhadrasuri added a new chapter to Jain-yoga in the 8th /cent., A.D. he introduced a new method and compared Jain-yoga with other method. He wrote several books including yoga Bindu, Yoga Drishtisamuccaya, Yoga Shatak and Yoga Vinshika in the 12th cent. A.D., Acharya Hemchandra wrote yoga shatra.Other than these, Jain acharyas had also composed various literary works on Dhyan like yog shasthra, Dhyan Shatak, yog shatak, yogsar, etc. to make the general public aware of the importance of Dhyan.
During the era of scriptures (Agam), the main objective of meditation was purification of soul or expiation. It was the era of endeavor to keep the mind firm in the state of equanimity, but the predominance of sadhana related to occult arts and hath yoga during the middle era brought with it the changes in the process of meditation. During the Agamic period, dhyan sadhana comprised of creating awareness of the activities of the body, sense organs, mind and psyche, stabilizing the consciousness in perceiving or witness mode. This would tranquilize the restlessness and agitations of body and mind. In other words, it was the sadhana of harmonizing consciousness i.e. Samayik.
Nowadays, various types of meditatives techniques are practiced with many changes.There is no doubt that Dhyan is the most important part of life and it should be practiced regularly to attain physical, mental and spiritual benefits. But the question arises, How to practice dhyan? How to reach the stage of Dhyan? Only closing of eyes & inactivity of body and speech is not Dhyan. Dhyan is a stage in which one attains full concentration and that cannot be achieved in one day or by simply practicing. For that one requires a systemized procedure. One such procedure is Jain Anuppeha Dhyan yog Sadhana.
Jain Acharyas, and Jain saints.Latest scholars have also introduced many systems of meditation like preksha Dhyan by Acharya Mahapragya, Vitraag Dhyam by Acharya Shiv muniji, Samikshan Dhyan by Acharya Nanalalji m.s. and many more. But all this meditative techniques are anyway based on Vipasana Dhyan of Budhism or patanjali yoga and any such meditation of other religions.
Keeping all this aspects in mind, a young Jain saint, famous Annotater and preacher of Jain values Dr. Shri Padamchandraji m.s. became the pioneer to lay the foundation for revival of this ancient art of meditation. The propounded a meditative techniquecalled Jain Anuppeha Dhyan yog sadhana in 1996 as an achievement of High spiritual practices, meditation and Austerities at Mt. Abu (Rajasthan). This is the one and only procedure of mediation entirely based on Jain Agams.
After all researches, Investigations, experiments and practical experiences, Jain Anuppeha Dhyan yog sadhana is practically taught to aspirants by conducting camps and workshops all over the world. It has received very good response from all the devotees belonging to any sect of Jainism. In this way, Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana has become a very good median between Agamic age and modern age including all the perspectives required for proper meditation.
Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana comprises of seven stages. They in turn are classified under two categories as follows:
- Bahya Charan (External phases) and
- Aabhyantar Charan (Internal phases)
External Phases-
External phases play a key role in making the aspirant to reach the stage of meditation. Until and unless, a person doesn’t make his body and mind fit, he cannot do meditation. By practice of external phases of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana the prebaking rate canbe drastically reduced which results in steadying the mind and pacifying the passions. Breathing is a gateway to self. To commence the internal trip, one must pass through the main gateway of breath.Thus, after regular practice of these external phases one may practice, three stages come under External phases, namely,
Vandanam Sharanam (Veneration and Surrender)
Mudra Vigyan (Science of gestures)
Navkar Udgosh (Aura cleansing through Navkar Mantra)
Internal Phases-
The internal phases are the true essence of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana, through which one can gain many fruitful results of Sadhana. The next corresponding stages come under Internal phases, namely, In these internal phases one resolves to enter the meditational stage and take efforts for concentration.
Sankalp Sadhana (Strengthening oneself from all perspectives)
Dhyan (Meditation for deepening inner consciousness)
Jatismaran Gyan (Exploring past life experiences) and Padmodaya Healings (Healing through mantras)
1. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana develops positive thinking, changes the bitterness of life into love, joy and peace and awakes the SELF-ESTEEM.
2. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana improves memory power.
3. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana has provided relief in sight problems of both +ve and –ve refractive disorders by improving the accommodative power of the eyes, at times even removing the necessity of spectacles.
4. With the regular and continuous practice of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana one gets relief from Diabetes, Sinusitis, Migraine, Thyroid disorders, Throat infections, Asthma-Bronchitis, High BP, Low BP, all mental disorders, Regular Constipation, Depression, Phobia(Fear), Hysteria, Insomnia, Disinterestedness, Restlessness and most of the allergic conditions threatening humans, in a very short span of time.
5. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is very effective in getting rid of Addictions and Bad habits.
6. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana been proved to be very effective in removing the imbalance in hormonal secretions in the body by regularizing the human glands and it increases will power.
7. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana effectively help in Personality Development of each and every individual.
8. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana considerably reducesfrequencies of Anger, Prideand other passions and helps to gain spiritual qualities within a fortnight of proper practice.
9. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is totally a non-violent method of treatment by which all kinds of diseases can be cured with strong faith and will power.
10. By the regular practice of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana, one can increase his body resistance power and prevent himself from many new rising diseases.
11. By the systematic practice of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana, one can receive the knowledge of Past-Life and gain various Divine Abilities.
12. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana plays a vital role to reach the utmost destination in spiritual field i.e. the aim to attain eternal bliss.
13. Constant and Regular practice of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana results in establishing firm control of the reasoning mind over all actions.
14. The aspirant practicing Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana gains physical mental spiritual and Ideological health and receives the benefits of “Aarugha Bohilabham”.
15. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana being the only method based on Jain scriptures entraps all secret in it.
16. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana opens the path of self-enlightenment of soul.
17. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana comprises along with it the physical movements and breathing practices giving the benefits of Asanas and pranayama naturally.
18. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana develops a greater understanding towards the true purpose of life helping regain the journey towards the ultimate destination.
19. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana helps in annihilation of inauspicious karmas and also transforms inauspicious karmas into auspicious karmas.By destroying these sinful inauspicious karmas, one spontaneously becomes involved in modest practices.
20. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is a great source of highest form of merit- punyanubandi punya.
21. Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana is an ultimate mean to be free from mental stress and depression.
22. Through Regular practice of Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana one acquires intensive stability and bears adverse to adverse situation peacefully without any agitation.
23. The seeker, who practices Jain Anuppeha Dhyan Yog Sadhana becomes vibrant and equipped with power of austerity.
