| The second
step of Preksha Dhyana is Antaryatra (Internal Trip). It follows the Kayotsarga.
Exertion in systematic meditation discipline needs good deal of nervous energy,
and it is, therefore, essential to generate it. Susumna, i.e. the spinal cord
is an important part of the central nervous system. Its bottom end is in the vicinity
of sakti kendra i.e. centre of energy. In the practice of Antaryatra the conscious
mind travels from Sakti-kendra to Jnana-kendra (centre of knowledge, top of the
head) via the spinal cord. This internal trip of the conscious mind is repeated
several times, and results in an increased flow of the vital energy (prana sakti)
upwards. Repeated practice of this process assists in better generation of the
nervous energy necessary for further meditation practice.
Nervous system is
an essential and very important component for the functioning of conscious activities.
It permeates the entire body through a network of nerves. The spinal cord and
the brain are the commanding stations of the entire system. The former extends
from the centre of energy situated in the lumbar region of the spine and enters
the latter at the base of the skull, and is connected to it by the brain-stem
and pons. These, therefore, are the chief centres of consciousness and the seat
of the conscious mind. The nerves from the sense-organs also converge here. Sensation,
motor action and perception converge to or are radiated from here. Sensory nerves
and motor nerves are energized and activated by it.
Man represents the culmination
of the process of evolution in the entire cosmos. Human mind alone possesses the
capacity for conscious reasoning. Lower organisms do not possess a rational reasoning
mind. Man’s ability for rational and conceptual thinking is derived from his reasoning
mind. Thus man alone is capable to direct the flow of his spiritual energy in
an upward direction. If the flow is downwards, the behaviour will be guided by
psychological distortions such as cruelty, greed, fear and hate; on the other
hand, if the flow is reversed, these distortions will disappear. This will immensely
strengthen the power of the unique human attribute-rational thinking and conscious
reasoning. It is the direction of the flow of the spiritual energy which is a
decider of the human behaviour. |