✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 89 of 112 — The Unwavering Gaze Upon Space
Sanskrit Verse
kāyākāśaṃ nirantaraṃ dhyāyet sarvadiśāsu ca | nirbhedā buddhir layameti tadkṣaṇāt ||
One should meditate on the inner body and the external space simultaneously in all directions; thus the discriminating intellect dissolves instantly.
Commentary
This dharana targets the collapse of the subject-object duality by utilizing the element of Akasha (space). In the metaphysics of Kashmir Shaivism, the perception of a boundary between the 'inner' space of the physical body and the 'outer' space of the cosmos is an illusion (maya) created by the contractive power of the ego. By simultaneously contemplating the emptiness within the torso and the vastness surrounding it, the practitioner induces a state of 'Nirvikalpa'—thought-free awareness. The intellect (buddhi) typically functions by creating divisions, labels, and boundaries. When the mind is forced to hold both the internal and external voids as a single, contiguous field of presence, the analytical faculty reaches a threshold it cannot cross and subsequently dissolves. This dissolution leads to a sudden expansion of consciousness, where the individual self is no longer localized within the skin but is recognized as the all-pervading substratum of reality. This is not a mere mental visualization but a somatic shift in perception where the density of the physical form is replaced by the luminosity of pure space, revealing the Bhairava state of omnipresence.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit in a comfortable posture such as Padmasana or Sukhasana with the spine erect. Close your eyes and become aware of the space occupied by your physical body, from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet.
- 02Visualize this internal space as empty, transparent, and vast. Simultaneously, expand your awareness to the space outside your body in all directions—front, back, left, right, above, and below.
- 03Do not try to move your attention back and forth; rather, hold both the internal void and the external infinite space in a single, unified embrace.
- 04Feel the boundary of your skin becoming porous, then transparent, and finally disappearing entirely.
- 05As the distinction between 'inside' and 'outside' vanishes, allow your intellect to rest. When thoughts arise, let them pass through this unified space like clouds through a clear sky.
- 06Maintain this state of seamless awareness, resting in the expansive stillness where the individual identity merges into the universal void.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I feel a sense of vertigo during this practice?
Vertigo is a common physiological reaction to the dissolution of spatial boundaries. If you feel dizzy, gently ground your awareness by touching the floor or focusing on the weight of your body for a moment. Gradually return to the expansion, ensuring you remain seated in a stable, supported posture to maintain physical safety.
How do I meditate on all directions at once?
Do not use the eyes to 'look' in directions. Instead, use your peripheral awareness and felt-sense. Imagine your consciousness is like a light bulb, radiating outward 360 degrees. It is not a sequential scanning but a global presence that feels the space behind you just as clearly as the space in front.
Is this different from just imagining I am invisible?
Yes, this is not an exercise in imagination but a shift in perception. Visualization is the starting point, but the goal is to actually feel the lack of obstruction. You are not imagining you are invisible; you are recognizing that your fundamental nature is space, which is already transparent and all-pervading.
Can I practice this with my eyes open?
Initially, closing the eyes helps internalize the sense of space. However, as you advance, practicing with eyes open (the Bhairavi Mudra) allows you to see the external world while maintaining the internal sense of void. This integrates the practice into daily life, helping you see the world as a play of space.
What does it mean for the intellect to dissolve?
The intellect (buddhi) dissolves when it stops categorizing reality into 'me' and 'not-me'. In this practice, the intellect finds no 'thing' to grasp onto because space is featureless. When the intellect becomes silent because it has no objects to define, you experience the underlying pure awareness that exists prior to thought.
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