✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 72 of 112 — The Unfolding Of Universal Space
Sanskrit Verse
madhyasthitayā śaktyā śūnyabhāvo 'nuvartate | tatrāntarātmā nilīyate śūnyapūritabhāvanāt ||
By means of the power situated in the middle, the state of voidness is maintained. By meditating on that fullness of the void, the inner self is absorbed there.
Commentary
This dharana focuses on the 'Madhyasakti'—the power of the central channel (Sushumna) which resides between the two polarities of Ida and Pingala. Metaphysically, this represents the 'Middle Way' of Tantra, where the ascending energy (Shakti) meets the void of consciousness (Shiva). The 'Shunya-bhava' mentioned here is not an empty vacuum but a 'Shunya-purita'—a void filled with the potentiality of the divine. This paradox of a 'full void' is central to Kashmir Shaivism; it is the state of 'Parabhairava' where emptiness and fullness are identical. By centering the awareness in the middle channel, the practitioner escapes the dualistic swinging of the mind between likes and dislikes, past and future. The 'inner self' (antarātmā) refers to the individualized ego-consciousness, which, when placed into this central, vibrant void, naturally dissolves (nilīyate). This results in a state of 'Vyapti' or spiritual pervasion, where the practitioner realizes their identity as the middle-point that encompasses the entire universe.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit with a straight spine and bring your attention to the central axis of your body, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.
- 02Imagine a thin, hollow tube of light running through the center. Breathe as if the breath is moving up and down this central channel.
- 03As you inhale and exhale, focus on the stillness in the very center of this tube—the 'Madhyasakti.
- 04' Visualize this central space expanding until it fills your entire body, and then continue to expand it until it becomes the infinite void of the cosmos.
- 05Contemplate this void not as 'nothing,' but as a space 'filled' (purita) with pure, silent awareness.
- 06Allow your sense of 'I' to sink into this central, filled void. Remain centered in this middle path, neither leaning toward thoughts nor toward total sleep, but resting in the vibrant, empty center of being.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'power in the middle' mentioned here?
It refers to 'Madhyasakti' or the energy within the Sushumna Nadi. This is the central spiritual channel of the subtle body. When awareness is stabilized here, the mind transcends the dualities of the left (Ida) and right (Pingala) channels, leading to a state of equilibrium.
How can a void be 'filled' (Shunya-purita)?
This is a key concept in Tantra. While the state is 'empty' of objects, thoughts, and ego-definitions, it is 'full' of the presence, light, and bliss of pure consciousness. It is a vacuum of matter but a plenum of spirit.
Is this a form of Kundalini yoga?
Yes, it is related. While it doesn't emphasize the dramatic arousal of energy, it focuses on the 'Madhya-dharma' (the law of the center), which is the core path of Kundalini. It seeks the same result: the absorption of individual consciousness into the central channel.
What do I do if I feel a sensation of heat or vibration?
These are common signs of energy (Shakti) moving through the central channel. Do not be alarmed or overly excited. Observe the sensations with the same 'void-like' awareness you are cultivating. Let the sensations arise and dissolve within the central space without attachment.
How does this practice differ from simply focusing on the heart?
While the heart is a point, the 'Madhya' (middle) is an axis. This dharana emphasizes the vertical alignment and the balance between polarities throughout the entire subtle system, rather than concentrating on a single localized point like the heart lotus.
✦ 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).