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✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra

Technique 35 of 112 — The All-Pervasive Space of the Heart

SpaceAdvanced15-20 minutes

Sanskrit Verse

karavyākocanaśaktyā vā sarvatra saṃsthitaṃ vapuḥ | dvādaśānte manolayād dhyāyet prameyaṃ śūnyatām ||

By the power of the opening of the hands, or by the dissolution of the mind in the space of the twelve-digit distance, one should meditate on the body as all-pervasive void.

Commentary

This dharana introduces the concept of 'Dvadashanta,' the space twelve finger-widths above the head or beyond the heart, representing the threshold between the individual and the infinite. The mention of 'Karavyakocana' (opening/stretching of the hands) suggests a physical mudra that accompanies the expansion of consciousness. The core metaphysics here is the realization of 'Shunyata' (emptiness) not as a lack, but as the 'Prameya' (the object of knowledge/reality) itself. By dissolving the mental focus into the space surrounding the body, the practitioner breaks the 'skin-bound' identity. The body is no longer perceived as a solid vessel but as a configuration of space that is identical to the space outside. This leads to a state of 'Sarvatra Samsthitam,' where one feels their presence established everywhere simultaneously, transcending the limits of the physical form.

Practice Instructions

  1. 01Sit comfortably and extend your arms, slowly opening your palms and fingers as if embracing the atmosphere.
  2. 02Alternatively, focus on the 'Dvadashanta,' the point approximately nine inches above your head.
  3. 03Inhale deeply and as you exhale, feel your mind dissolving into the space above you. Imagine the boundaries of your body melting away like ice into water.
  4. 04Visualize your heart center expanding to fill the room, then the building, and then the entire sky.
  5. 05See the body not as flesh, but as a hollow shell filled with the same infinite ether that surrounds it.
  6. 06Maintain this sense of vast, unoccupied space. If the ego attempts to reclaim its boundary, gently dissolve that thought into the emptiness of the Dvadashanta.
  7. 07Rest in this all-pervasive void.

Recommended Duration

Practice for 15-20 minutes, ideally at the same hour each day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Twelve-Digit Distance' (Dvadashanta)?

Dvadashanta refers to a point twelve finger-widths from the body—most commonly above the crown (Brahma-dvadashanta) or in front of the heart. It marks the limit of the individual prana's reach and serves as a gateway to the universal energy that lies beyond the physical and subtle bodies.

How does opening the hands help the meditation?

The physical act of opening the palms acts as a somatic trigger for the mind to 'open' its boundaries. It counters the habitual tendency to contract and protect the self. This physical expansion mirrors the internal psychological expansion into the void, making the shift into all-pervasiveness more tangible.

I feel dizzy when imagining my body as a void. What should I do?

Dizziness can occur when the sense of self loses its grounding. If this happens, briefly focus on your breath or the sensation of your sit-bones on the floor to ground yourself. Gradually return to the visualization of space, ensuring you are not holding your breath while contemplating the void.

Is 'Shunyata' the same as 'nothingness'?

In Shaivism, 'Shunyata' is not a 'nothing' in the nihilistic sense. It is a 'Full Void' (Purna-Shunya)—a state where the mind is empty of limited thoughts but full of the infinite potential of consciousness. It is a state of pure, unconditioned being that precedes all form.

Can I focus on the heart instead of the space above the head?

Yes, the heart-dvadashanta (the space just outside the heart) is equally effective. The goal is to move the center of awareness from 'inside' the body to a point that bridges the inner and outer, eventually realizing there is no difference between the two dimensions of space.

The Vijnana Bhairava Tantra contains 112 meditation techniques given by Shiva to Parvati.

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