Acharya Mahaprajna
The second step of preksa-dhyana is antaryatra (internal trip). It follows the kayotsarga. Exertion in systematic meditational 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 meditational practice.
Nervous system is an essential and very important component for the functioning of conscious activities. The spinal cord and the brain are the commanding stations of the entire system. Sensation, motor action and perception converge to or are radiated from here. Sensory nerves and motor nerves are energized and activated by it.
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.
