✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 70 of 112 — Absorption In The All-Pervading Void
Sanskrit Verse
sarvataḥ śūnyakāyatvaṃ piṇḍamuktaṃ vibhāvayet | tanmayo bhavati kṣipraṃ nirnimittaḥ pṛthanmate ||
One should meditate on the body as being void in all directions, released from the physical form. By this, one quickly becomes identified with that (void) and becomes free from all mental constructs.
Commentary
This dharana utilizes the concept of 'Shunyata' or voidness to dismantle the practitioner's identification with the gross physical body (pinda). By meditating on the body as being empty like a hollow shell or a space without boundaries, the yogi breaks the 'dehatma-buddhi' (the intellect that identifies the Self with the body). The term 'sarvataḥ śūnyakāyatvaṃ' implies a total perception of voidness not just inside, but extending through the physical form into infinity. Metaphysically, this technique aligns with the Shaiva view that the ultimate reality is 'nirnimitta'—without cause, attribute, or sign. When the practitioner successfully visualizes the body as a void, the mind has no support (avalambana) to cling to, leading to a state of 'Nirvikalpa' (thought-free awareness). This is a process of radical dissolution where the 'Pinda' (the limited body-bound soul) is liberated (mukta) from its self-imposed boundaries. The effect is an immediate shift in consciousness (kṣipraṃ) where the practitioner realizes they are the all-pervading space of Shiva, rather than a localized physical entity.
Practice Instructions
- 01Begin by sitting in a stable posture and relaxing every muscle. Close your eyes and visualize your skin as a thin, transparent boundary.
- 02Gradually, perceive the internal organs, bones, and tissues as dissolving into light and then into pure space.
- 03See your body as a hollow vessel, empty like a vast room. Extend this perception of voidness in all directions—up, down, left, and right.
- 04Feel that there is no difference between the space inside your body and the space outside.
- 05The boundary of the skin eventually vanishes, leaving only a boundless expanse of consciousness.
- 06If a thought arises, realize it has no place to land in this void and let it pass. Stay in this state of 'body-lessness,' identifying solely with the infinite, attribute-less void that remains.
- 07Continue until the sense of being a 'separate person' completely evaporates into the all-pervading presence.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'released from the physical form' mean practically?
It means shifting your identification. Instead of feeling like a solid mass of flesh and bone, you cultivate the felt sense of being pure, open space. You are not discarding the body, but rather transcending the mental habit of perceiving it as a solid, limited container.
Is this void the same as 'nothingness' or nihilism?
No. In Tantra, the void (Shunya) is 'Purna'—full of potentiality. It is not a vacuum of non-existence, but a state of pure consciousness free from the limitations of objects and thoughts. It is the fertile background from which all of existence arises and returns.
Can this technique cause a feeling of vertigo or fear?
Yes, as the ego loses its physical anchor, a sense of fear or 'groundlessness' may arise. If this happens, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you are safe. This fear is simply the ego reacting to its own temporary dissolution into the infinite.
How is 'nirnimitta' achieved through this meditation?
Nirnimitta means 'causeless' or 'without attributes.' By removing the 'attribute' of the physical body from your awareness, you allow the consciousness to rest in its natural, unconditioned state. This state does not depend on any external object or internal thought for its existence.
Is this practice suitable for someone with high anxiety?
Practitioners with severe anxiety should approach this with caution. Dissolving the body-sense can be destabilizing if one is not grounded. It is recommended to practice grounding techniques first, or to perform this meditation under the guidance of an experienced teacher who understands subtle energy.
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