Contemplation & Sound: Jain Tradition

Vimeo Livestream
Twelve Moments: Experiencing Spiritual & Faith Traditions
Jain Tradition with Samani Punya Pragya Ji & Samani Jigyasa Pragya Ji

Over the next year, each Twelve Moments will highlight the role of music and sound in spiritual practices, and how these practices sustain us in the face of current challenges and injustices. For the month of October, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Jain tradition, led by Samani Punya Pragya Ji & Samani Jigyasa Pragya Ji of JVB Preksha Meditation Center. We are all familiar with external music but have you ever experienced internal music? This session compared elements of sound in two different approaches to meditation in the Jain tradition - Mantra Meditation (external sound) and Deep Breathing Meditation (internal sound). Mantra Meditation focuses on humming or chanting certain syllables and frequencies to create healing vibrations in the body, while Deep Breathing Meditation emphasizes attention to the inner vibrations and sounds within the body. Samani Ji's shared the histories of these healing meditative traditions and facilitate practices of both methods.

About the Twelve Moments series
Since 2005, the Rothko Chapel has shared a monthly contemplative practice featuring different spiritual and faith traditions. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, this series engages teachers and religious leaders from the greater Houston community, providing opportunities to learn more about specific traditions and participate in a contemplative practice.

About the presenters
Samani Punya Pragya Ji is the head Spiritual Leader in JVB Houston. She has been following the spiritual path since 1993. She not only has academic qualifications in Jain Philosophy but also has extensive experience in offering courses and guidance in meditation. She has conducted specialized camps on Mantra Meditation and Preksha Meditation in India and many foreign countries including the US. Samani Jigyasa Pragya Ji is a junior Spiritual Leader in JVB Houston. She started her spiritual journey in 2005. She too has academic qualifications in Jain Philosophy and has been offering instruction in Philosophy as well as Yoga and Meditation. Her degree was in Jain Philosophy and Comparative Religion and Philosophy.