Mahavira's Scripture Of Health: [13.01] Contemplation and Health - Formula for Change

Anupreksha [contemplation] and Svasthya [health]

Preksha and anupreksha are related with each other.
Perceiving, reflecting, suggesting and being as one would like to be - this is the principle of anupreksha. The principle of anupreksha has not been developed merely from the health point of view. Its primary objective is emotional transformation, the making of the personality. The principle of transformation implies that we should be able to change ourselves. If we can change our emotions, we can bring about the change in other problems as well. Good health is itself fruitful.

Formula for Change

An important formula for change is found in the Uttaradhayana Sutra.
Mahavira was asked a question:

"0, Lord! In what way does the jeeva benefit from anupreksha?"

Mahavira replied,

"The jeeva benefits from anupreksha in many ways:

1. The tight bondage of karma is loosened.
2. The long-lasting situation turns into a situation lasting for a brief period.
3. The intensive fruition of karmas slows down. There is a slowing down of predeshodayikarna [Realisation of the mass of karmic matter]. If at all the fruition of karmas would be extremely slow, so that it would be hardly noticed. Changing the vipakodaya into pradeshodaya [Realisation of fruition] means that one does not realise that the change has taken place.
4. The person becomes automatically liberated. There is no upachaya [accumulation] of the asat vedaniya karma and the defence-mechanism, which has built up, is weakened.”

All these are the results of contemplation, related to health. We can look in them for the sources of the change of emotion, change of act and change in health.