________________
these is Bindu Dhyana (preksha dhyāna). This is the technique of focused seeing, the yoga of Light. The second technique is Surat Šabda Yoga. It is method to focus on inner sounds; the yoga of Sound. We have briefly presented these techniques above.
Many of the saints discuss the need for mantra japa (recitation of a divine name) and meditation on a sacred form as preparatory practices for Bindu Dhyana and Surat Šabda Yoga. These disciplines enable the practitioner to have success with the
subtler forms of meditation.
Here we present some references from Jain scholars which describe the essential beliefs and practices of Jain dharma. These readings will facilitate the reader's understanding of the unique
and essential forms of Jainism.
Mantra Japa
Acharya Tulsi speaks about mantra japa in his book, An Outline of the Science of Life:
We have only one consciousness stream. When we associate with truth, we ascend upwards and when we associate with untruth we fall down. The japa mantra method was developed to control the mind so that it would be stabilized and would be prevented from wandering into wrong thinking.
109
