✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 52 of 112 — The Sky-Like Expansion
Sanskrit Verse
ākāśo nirantaraḥ kāryo deha-vyāpti-samantataḥ | tadvat sarvaṃ jagad-vyāptaṃ cintayet śūnya-rūpiṇi ||
One should contemplate the space within the body as an unbroken sky extending in all directions, and then visualize the whole world as having the nature of that void.
Commentary
This dharana, known as 'Akasha-bhavana,' involves a two-stage expansion of consciousness. First, the practitioner perceives the interior of their own body not as flesh and bone, but as pure, unobstructed space (Akasha). This space is described as 'nirantaraḥ'—unbroken and continuous. Once this internal spatiality is established, the second stage requires projecting this realization onto the entire external universe ('sarvaṃ jagad-vyāptaṃ'). The metaphysics here are rooted in the 'Spanda' theory of Kashmir Shaivism: everything is a vibration of the same underlying field of consciousness. By seeing both the 'self' and the 'world' as the same 'Shunya-rupini' (form of the void), the practitioner eradicates the illusion of separation. This is not a nihilistic void, but a 'Purna-shunya'—a void full of potentiality. The effect of this practice is a profound sense of freedom and lightness. The 'body-ego' is replaced by a 'universal-ego,' where the practitioner feels as expansive as the sky. It effectively deconstructs the mental habits of categorization and limitation, leading to the state of Bhairava, the infinite consciousness that encompasses all.
Practice Instructions
- 01Begin by sitting quietly and feeling the space occupied by your body. Imagine that your skin is a transparent boundary, and inside, your body is completely hollow, filled with a clear blue or dark sky.
- 02Feel this internal sky extending from your toes to the top of your head. Gradually, imagine the boundary of your skin dissolving.
- 03The space inside you and the space outside you become one single, continuous, and infinite sky.
- 04Now, look at the world around you—objects, people, buildings—and visualize them as being composed of this same transparent space.
- 05See the entire universe as a vast, empty, yet conscious sky. Abide in this feeling of being the infinite, all-pervading space in which the entire world appears like a passing cloud.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't stop seeing my body as solid?
Start by focusing on the air in your lungs or the space in your mouth. Gradually expand this feeling of 'emptiness' to the limbs. Use the imagination to 'hollow out' the body. With consistent practice, the 'felt sense' of solidity will give way to the 'felt sense' of spaciousness.
Is this a form of visualization or a direct experience?
It begins as a visualization (cintayet), using the creative power of the mind to shift perception. However, the goal is for the visualization to trigger a direct 'bhavana'—a lived experience of expansion where you actually feel as vast as the sky.
Can I practice this while walking?
Yes, this is an excellent 'open-eyed' meditation. As you walk, try to see the space between objects as being more real than the objects themselves. Feel your own body moving through space as space moving through space. It helps integrate the practice into daily life.
Does 'Shunya' mean the world is an illusion?
In Shaiva Tantra, the world is not an illusion (Maya) in the sense of being non-existent; it is a real manifestation of Shiva. 'Shunya' here refers to the lack of independent, solid existence. The world exists, but its essence is the light of consciousness.
How does this practice help with anxiety?
Anxiety often stems from feeling trapped or contracted within the small self. By expanding your awareness to the 'unbroken sky,' you gain a perspective where personal problems seem like small clouds in a vast atmosphere. This spatial expansion naturally induces a state of calm and detachment.
✦ 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).