Jain Science and Spirituality
by Medhavi Jain | 2020 | 61,419 words
This essay studies the elements of Jainism and investigates how Jain science and philosophy can give the world answers to through science and spirituality. Instead of interpreting it as a confined, strict philosophy, it is shown that Jainism represents a path towards self-awakening through self-improvement....
3.5. Classes of Meditation
‘There are four main classes of meditation:
- Pindastha dhyana (meditation on a material object),
- Padastha dhyana (meditation on words),
- Rupastha dhyana (meditation on forms and figures), and
- Rupatita dhyana (subtle meditation).’[1]
As clear by its name padastha dhyana is meditating upon words; the mere thought of this meditation has the capability of filling one up with curiosity and amazement. Indeed the words we use in our daily lives display meanings far beyond than we can assume, in meditation. One may try pindastha dhyana by meditating upon a candle stand one has at one’s home and after a few minutes of meditation one may loosen up all the fittings of the same and find out about the tiny parts it had. Rupatita dhyana belongs to the understanding of the things we cannot see but only feel. We can learn practically by observing from the closest we have and what best can we have except our own body.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
MBM. pp. 22