✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 36 of 112 — The Contemplation of the Gross as Void
Sanskrit Verse
sarvaṃ dehaṃ chinnaṃ vā cinmayatayā puraḥ | dhyāyet svadeham athavā śūnyaṃ syānmuktikṛt tataḥ ||
One should meditate on one's own body, or the entire world, as being pervaded by consciousness or as being empty; through this, one becomes liberated.
Commentary
This dharana offers two profound paths to liberation: seeing everything as 'Cinmayataya' (composed of pure consciousness) or as 'Shunyam' (empty). This is a radical shift in perception that deconstructs the materialist view of the world. The metaphysics of Kashmir Shaivism posits that 'Prakasha' (the light of consciousness) is the only reality, and the 'objects' we see are merely modifications of that light. By contemplating the body as being 'severed' or 'divided' (chinna) from its usual associations and viewing it as pure awareness, the practitioner severs the ties of 'Mala' (impurities/limitations). This technique requires the practitioner to look at their own physical form and the external world not as solid matter, but as a holographic display of energy and void. The result is 'Mukti' (liberation), as the soul is freed from the illusion of being a limited, physical entity trapped in a material universe.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit in silence and look at your body. Begin to mentally dismantle the idea of 'my body' as a solid object.
- 02See each limb, organ, and cell as a manifestation of shimmering light-awareness. Alternatively, imagine the body is completely hollow, like a shell, containing nothing but empty space.
- 03Extend this perception to the objects around you—the chair, the walls, the floor—seeing them all as either pure consciousness or as empty of inherent solidity.
- 04If a thought of 'I am this body' arises, replace it with the realization 'I am the consciousness in which this body appears.
- 05' Maintain this dual awareness of emptiness and consciousness until the world of 'things' dissolves into a singular, unified field of being.
- 06Stay in this state of liberated perception.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'chinna' (severed) mean in this context?
In this dharana, 'severed' refers to mentally cutting the habitual connections and identifications we have with the body. It means viewing the body as something separate from the 'Self' or as a collection of parts that are essentially empty, thereby breaking the ego's grip on physical identity.
How do I meditate on the 'entire world' as consciousness?
Start with small objects nearby. Realize that your perception of the object happens within your mind. Since the perception and the mind are both consciousness, the object is effectively made of consciousness. Gradually expand this logic to everything you see, hear, or feel in the external environment.
Is this a form of 'Body Scan' meditation?
Unlike a standard body scan which focuses on physical sensations, this is a metaphysical deconstruction. You aren't just 'feeling' the body; you are changing your fundamental understanding of what the body is—shifting from 'matter' to 'void' or 'consciousness.' It is a much more radical shift.
Why is this considered an 'Advanced' level technique?
It requires a high degree of 'Vairagya' (dispassion) and the ability to sustain a counter-intuitive perception against the lifelong habit of seeing the world as solid. Beginners often find it difficult to maintain the sense of emptiness without falling back into conceptual thinking or physical distraction.
What is the primary effect of this practice?
The primary effect is liberation from fear, especially the fear of death. By realizing the body is either empty or pure consciousness, the practitioner understands that the 'Self' cannot be harmed, changed, or destroyed. This brings an unshakable sense of freedom and peace in daily life.
✦ ENROLL
Study all 112 Vijnana Bhairava Techniques as part of your Bachelor of Shaiva Sciences at Shiva University.
$99/month.
FREE international hotel certificate delivered within 24 hours of enrollment.
The first 100 students lock in $99/month for life.
15 Sacred Destinations
Varanasi, India (Shiva's holy city) | Bali, Indonesia | Kyoto, Japan | Rishikesh, India | Sedona, Arizona | Paris, France | Tulum, Mexico | Cancun, Mexico | Oaxaca, Mexico | Phuket, Thailand | Machu Picchu, Peru | Nairobi, Kenya | Lagos, Nigeria | Ubud, Bali | Istanbul, Turkey
Graduation bonus: FREE 7-night Bali retreat upon completion of the Bachelor of Shaiva Sciences (Month 24).