Preksha meditation

Jain meditation has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism along with the Three Jewels. Meditation in Jainism aims at realizing the self, attain salvation, take the soul to complete freedom. It aims to reach and to remain in the pure state of soul which is believed to be pure conscious, beyond any craving, aversion and/or attachment. The practitioner strives to be just a knower-seer (Gyata-Drashta). Jain meditation can be broadly categorized to the auspicious (Dharmya Dhyana and Shukla Dhyana) and inauspicious (Artta and Raudra Dhyana).

Jain meditation is also referred as Sāmāyika. The word Sāmāyika means being in the moment of continuous real-time. This act of being conscious of the continual renewal of the universe in general and one's own renewal of the individual living being (Jiva) in particular is the critical first step in the journey towards identification with one's true nature, called the Atman. It is also a method by which one can develop an attitude of harmony and respect towards other humans and Nature.

Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara in Jainism practiced meditation and attained enlightenment at Mount Kailash.Bahubali, son of Rishabha, practiced meditation for twelve months maintaining same standing posture. King Bharata, elder son of Rishabha, entered a trance state by fixing his gaze on his image in the mirror and got deep into meditation and finally attained enlightenment. Fixing the gaze on an object for meditation has been an important technique of Jainism.

Jains believe all twenty-four Tirthankaras practiced deep meditation, some for years, some for months and attained enlightenment. All the statues and pictures of Tirthankaras primarily show them in meditative postures.

Acharya Bhadrabahu of 400 BCE, practiced Mahaprana meditation for twelve years. Description of practice of samadhi meditation by many other acharya is also found. Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of Maurya Empire, was Acharya Bhadrabahu's disciple and became a monk. He later migrated to South India and it helped Jainism to spread there. Bhadrabahu also took Chandragupta Maurya to South India along with him. A holistic approach to the path of salvation was written and compiled in a single book, the Tattvartha Sutra by Acharya Umaswati.

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