✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 31 of 112 — The Absorption Into The Heart Space
Sanskrit Verse
hṛdyākāśe nilīyakṣaḥ, padmasaṃpuṭa-madhyagaḥ, anya-vikalpa-śūnyātmā, paraṃ bhāgyam-avāpnuyāt.
One who merges the senses into the space of the heart, situated in the middle of the lotus bud, and becomes free from all other thoughts, attains the supreme fortune.
Commentary
This dharana points toward the 'Hridaya,' the spiritual heart, which is not the physical organ but the center of being. In Kashmir Shaivism, the heart is the 'universal core' where the individual soul resides in union with the Divine. The instruction is to withdraw the outward-moving energy of the senses (indriyas) and dissolve them into this inner cavern (akasha). The 'lotus bud' symbolizes the subtle heart center (Anahata), which, when closed, holds the potential for divine bliss. By focusing intensely on this center and excluding all 'vikalpas' (dualistic thoughts), the practitioner experiences a state of profound absorption (samadhi). The 'supreme fortune' (param bhāgyam) mentioned in the verse refers to the realization of one's own divinity. This technique is highly effective because the heart is naturally associated with feeling and devotion, making it easier for many practitioners to concentrate here than on more abstract intellectual or spatial concepts.
Practice Instructions
- 01Find a relaxed sitting posture and close your eyes. Bring your awareness to the center of your chest, slightly to the right of the physical heart.
- 02Visualize a soft, glowing lotus bud in this space. Imagine each of your senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—as streams of light flowing back from the periphery of your body into this lotus.
- 03As the senses dissolve into the heart, the lotus begins to radiate a warm, steady light. Let all your thoughts and worries also dissolve into this glow.
- 04Feel your entire identity contracting into this sacred heart-space. Stay there in the stillness, feeling the pulse of your own existence.
- 05If the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the warmth and silence of the heart-lotus until you feel a sense of total inner merger.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
Why focus on the heart instead of the head?
The head is often the seat of the analytical, fragmented mind. The heart, in this tradition, represents the 'Pratibha' or intuitive flash of the whole. Focusing on the heart allows for a more direct, emotional, and somatic experience of unity, bypassing the mental loops that often trap practitioners who focus solely on the ajna chakra.
What does 'merging the senses' actually feel like?
It feels like a withdrawal of interest from the external world. You still hear sounds or feel the air, but you no longer 'go out' to meet them. They become distant, like background noise, while your primary reality becomes the vibrant, silent space within your chest. It is a transition from 'doing' to 'being' in the heart.
Is the heart center on the left or the right side?
In many Tantric traditions, the spiritual heart (Hridaya) is often described as being slightly to the right of the midline, though focusing on the center of the chest is equally effective. The key is to find the point where you feel the most 'at home' and where your awareness can rest most naturally and deeply.
Can I use a mantra while focusing on the heart?
While the verse emphasizes 'vikalpa-shunya' (freedom from thought), a subtle mantra like 'Aham' (I am) or 'So-Ham' can be used initially to anchor the mind in the heart. As you sink deeper into the feeling of the heart-space, even the mantra should be allowed to dissolve into the silence of the heart-lotus.
What should I do if I feel emotional during this practice?
The heart center is the seat of emotions. If feelings of joy, sadness, or longing arise, do not suppress them. Observe them as movements of energy within the heart-space and let them dissolve into the light of the lotus. Emotional release is often a sign that the 'bud' of the heart is beginning to open and purify.
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