✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 99 of 112 — The Heart Of Eternal Space
Sanskrit Verse
hṛdyākāśe nilīnatmā niḥsaṅgaṃ saṃpradhārayet | sa śūnyatayā niḥsaṅgo vāyurvai yāti tulyatām ||
One should contemplate with a detached mind that the self is dissolved in the space of the heart. By being detached through that void, one becomes equal to the wind.
Commentary
The 'Hridyakasha' or the 'Space of the Heart' is a central concept in Tantric meditation. It refers not to the physical heart, but to the spiritual center of the being, the locus of pure consciousness. In this dharana, the practitioner dissolves their 'atma' (individual self) into this internal vastness. The term 'nihsanga' (detached or unattached) is crucial; it implies a state where the consciousness is no longer 'stuck' to the senses, emotions, or thoughts. By merging into the heart-space, the practitioner achieves a state of 'vayu-tulya'—being like the wind. The wind moves everywhere but remains unattached to the places it passes; it is pervasive, subtle, and free. This technique cultivates a sense of pervasive freedom and omnipresence. Metaphysically, it signifies the shift from the 'jiva' (bound soul) to 'Shiva' (the free consciousness), where the heart is recognized as the very threshold of the infinite.
Practice Instructions
- 01Bring your awareness to the center of your chest. Imagine a vast, infinite sky located right within your heart center.
- 02With every inhalation, feel yourself drawing inward toward this space; with every exhalation, feel your ego and personality dissolving into this internal sky.
- 03Continue until you feel that your entire sense of self is no longer a solid point, but has become the sky itself.
- 04Practice being 'detached'—allow thoughts and feelings to blow through this heart-space like gusts of wind, without grabbing onto them.
- 05Feel yourself becoming weightless and pervasive, as if you could flow through all things without resistance.
- 06Maintain this feeling of being as free and unconfined as the air, existing only as the vastness of the heart.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Space of the Heart' exactly?
In Sanskrit, it is called the 'Dahara Akasha.' It is the subtle dimension of consciousness located at the energetic center of the chest. It is considered the meeting point between the individual and the universal. In meditation, it feels like an expansive, warm, and limitless void that resides within the core of your being.
How do I become 'detached' (nihsanga)?
Detachment is not indifference; it is the absence of 'clinging.' In this practice, you achieve it by identifying with the vast space rather than the objects (thoughts/feelings) within it. Just as the sky is not stained by the clouds that pass through it, you remain unaffected by the mental movements occurring in your consciousness.
What does 'becoming equal to the wind' mean practically?
It refers to a state of extreme subtle mobility and non-obstruction. You feel that your consciousness can pervade any object or space without being blocked. It also implies a state of 'Prana' where your vital energy is no longer knotted in the body but flows freely, much like the atmospheric wind.
Can this help with emotional pain?
Yes, profoundly. By moving emotional pain into the 'Hridyakasha,' the pain loses its density. You realize that the heart is large enough to hold any emotion without being broken. The space of the heart provides the room for emotional energy to move, transform, and eventually dissolve back into pure peace.
Is there a specific color associated with this heart-space?
While the verse doesn't specify, traditional commentaries often suggest a clear, transparent void or a soft, luminous light. However, the most important aspect is the quality of 'spaciousness' and 'freedom' rather than a specific visual color. Let the space be as it appears to you naturally.
✦ 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).