✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 105 of 112 — The Infinite Void Of Self
Sanskrit Verse
yathā tatheha sarvatra viśvamātmā ca lakṣyate | antarbahiśca pūrṇatvāditi bhāvayataḥ kṣayam || 132 ||
Just as the universe and the self are perceived everywhere, so one should contemplate their dissolution through the fullness of inner and outer space.
Commentary
This dharana addresses the non-dual nature of reality by dismantling the boundary between the internal 'I' and the external 'World'. In Kashmir Shaivism, the concept of Purnatva (Fullness) is paradoxical; it is a fullness that appears as emptiness to the dualistic mind. By contemplating that the same consciousness pervades the internal organs and the furthest reaches of the cosmos, the practitioner dissolves the false dichotomy of subject and object. The metaphysics here rests on the principle that the Spanda (divine vibration) is uniform across all strata of existence. When the practitioner perceives that the 'inner' is as vast as the 'outer', the egoic center—which relies on boundaries to exist—begins to evaporate. This leads to a state of Bhairava-consciousness where the practitioner no longer feels like an inhabitant of the world, but rather the space in which the world arises. The dissolution mentioned in the verse is not a destruction of matter, but a dissolution of the limiting mental constructs (vikalpas) that prevent us from seeing the undivided luminous self. It is a profound shift from being a wave to being the entire ocean, acknowledging that the substance of the self and the substance of the stars are identical, unconditioned awareness.
Practice Instructions
- 01Begin by sitting in a stable posture with eyes slightly open, gazing into the space before you.
- 02Gradually expand your awareness to include the sensations within your body, feeling the hollow spaces of the chest and head.
- 03Now, consciously bridge the gap: realize that the space inside your lungs is the same element as the space outside your window.
- 04Visualize the skin as a porous, transparent veil that eventually disappears. Contemplate the idea that the 'Self' is not trapped inside the skull but is the very fabric of the room, the sky, and the stars.
- 05Hold the thought: 'Everywhere is the Self, both inside and out. ' As this realization stabilizes, let go of the thought itself and rest in the pure, boundless fullness that remains.
- 06If thoughts arise, see them as ripples in this infinite space, having no power to divide the fundamental unity.
- 07Remain in this state of expansive presence for the duration of the meditation.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'dissolution' specifically refer to in this context?
Dissolution refers to the melting away of 'vikalpas' or dualistic mental constructs. It is not the literal disappearance of the physical world, but the ending of the perceived separation between the observer and the observed. You are dissolving the mental habit of categorizing reality into 'me' and 'not-me'.
Is this technique similar to mindfulness of space?
While similar, it goes further by emphasizing 'Purnatva' or fullness. Mindfulness often observes space as an object, whereas this dharana asks you to recognize that your own consciousness is that very space. It is a shift from observing space to being the space that contains all phenomena.
Can I practice this with my eyes closed?
It is traditionally practiced with eyes 'half-open' (nimisa-unmesa) to better facilitate the merging of inner and outer reality. However, if you find the external world too distracting initially, you may start with eyes closed to establish the internal sense of space before opening them to include the environment.
How do I deal with the fear of losing my identity?
The fear of 'ego-death' is common in advanced dharanas. Recognize this fear as a thought arising within the space you are contemplating. By staying present, you discover that while the limited ego-identity dissolves, a much larger, more stable sense of 'I-consciousness' (Ahanta) takes its place.
How do I know if I am achieving 'fullness'?
The sign of success is a pervasive sense of peace and a lack of 'need'. When the boundary between self and other vanishes, the grasping mind slows down. You will feel a sense of lightness and an inability to define where your being ends and the room begins.
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