Introduction:
Regular meditation practice is an efficient tool, both for heating and maintaining
good health. Modern scientific research has now established that there is no denying
the fact that sick people do get well by harnessing the psychic forces through
mental imagery. In fact, a new discipline called psycho-neuro-immnuriology has
entered the field of modern research. The body's natural defence mechanisms against
infection,con-tagions,toxicity and other pathological disorders constitute the
immune system of the body. Immunology, thus, means scientific study of body's
defences and resistance to infection etc. The new discipline, therefore, is the
study of inter-relations between the immune system, the brain and the psychical
forces probably hidden in the subconscious portion of the mind Innate Immunity
Lymphocytes are the principal cells of the innate immune system. They operate
is close association with the phagocytes which can engulf and inactivate microorganisms.
The bone marrow the thymus, spleen and some lymphoid nodules produce the lymphocytes.
The production, activation and immune response is a highly complex process involving
finely balanced relationships between many organs of the body. Neuro-immunologists
have, after elaborate study of men under stress, established that the immunity
can be seriously affected by one's mood and attitudes, and there is a significant
lowering in the functioning of the system under stress. Conversely, deep relaxation
and sustained cheerfulness improve both the qualitative and quantitative efficiency
of the system. Apart from the researchers many eminent doctors as well as
general practitioners agree that meditation and deep relaxation can cure and prevent
any number of psychosomatic diseases. Concentrated perception of body - "Sarira
Preksa" produces a more balanced equilibrium between the sympathetic and
parasym-pathetic components of the autonomic nervous system, which is ultimately
responsible for the homeostasis in the body. Improvement of physical health
without the use of injurious drug, though a valuable benefit, is not the chief
objective of meditation It is a tool for awakening and developing one's conscious
reasoning and thereby modifying one's attitude and behaviour to be truly worthy
of a human being. Deep-level consciousness is an innate aspect of human wisdom
and has an elevating effect on human personality. Unfortunately, the modern way
of life has considerably weakened this ability and one has come to believe that
he can function satisfactorily without awakening and activating the inherent deep-conscious
abilities. To become acquainted with one's own body is an essential medium
of spiritual advancement and self-awareness. Perception of body is a technique
of becoming acquainted not only with the gross physical body but also with the
mysteries of the subtle (taijasa) body and the super subtle body (karma-sarira).
After this, it is not difficult for the practitioner to reach and be acquainted
with his deep-level consciousness. On the other hand if one thinks that one could
reach the spiritual self without properly understanding the significance of the
flow of vital energy in different parts of the body, it would be a mere imaginary
achievement. Practice of perception of body is, thus, an essential step
for acquiring not only physical goodness but psychical goodness also.
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