✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 63 of 112 — The Void Between Thoughts
Sanskrit Verse
mṛdu-pañcendriya-jñāne nirādhāre śarīrage | manasyabhyantaraṃ yāti bhāvanā-viṣayaṃ vinā ||
When the mind, free from any object of meditation, enters the internal space by means of the subtle knowledge of the five senses, it becomes supportless and enters the state of void.
Commentary
This dharana describes the transition from 'sa-vikalpa' (with thought) to 'nir-vikalpa' (without thought) awareness. The phrase 'nirādhāre' means 'without support.' Usually, the mind requires an 'ādhāra'—a support like an image, a mantra, or a breath—to stay focused. This technique suggests using the 'mṛdu-pañcendriya-jñāne' (subtle knowledge of the five senses) as a bridge to reach a supportless state. Instead of focusing on the objects of the senses, one focuses on the very capacity to perceive, which is subtle (mṛdu). By turning the mind away from 'bhāvanā-viṣayaṃ' (objects of imagination or external objects), the mind is forced to look at its own container. The metaphysics here involve the 'manasyabhyantaraṃ'—the interiority of the mind. When the mind is denied external objects and internal mental constructs, it has nowhere to go but to collapse into its own source. This is the state of pure 'Samvit' or awareness where the mind is present but empty of content. It is a state of high clarity and stillness that transcends the habitual fluctuations of the psyche.
Practice Instructions
- 01Begin by observing the flow of your thoughts without trying to stop them. Notice the subtle background awareness that exists even as thoughts pass by.
- 02Gradually, withdraw your interest from the content of your thoughts (the 'what' you are thinking).
- 03Instead, focus on the 'gap' or the silence that exists between two consecutive thoughts. If a thought arises, acknowledge it and wait for it to end.
- 04In the tiny interval before the next thought begins, plunge your awareness into that gap. This is the 'nirādhāra' or supportless state.
- 05Do not try to create a new thought about the silence; simply remain in the gap. As you practice, the gaps will naturally lengthen, and the mind will settle into its own internal, objectless space.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find the gap between thoughts if my mind is racing?
Don't try to force the thoughts to stop; that only creates more mental noise. Instead, become an impartial observer. Just as you might watch cars passing on a highway, watch your thoughts. Eventually, you will notice the space between the 'cars.' Focus your attention on that space.
What does 'supportless' (niradhara) mean in practice?
Normally, your mind 'leans' on something—a worry, a memory, or a visual image. 'Supportless' means the mind is standing on its own, not leaning on any concept. It is like an eagle hovering in the air without flapping its wings, supported only by the vast sky of consciousness.
Is this the same as 'blanking out'?
No. 'Blanking out' is a state of dullness or tamas, similar to a stupor. This dharana aims for a state of 'luminous emptiness' where you are intensely alert and present, yet there are no specific thoughts occupying the mind. It is a state of heightened clarity.
Can I use a mantra to help get to this state?
While mantras are useful 'supports,' this specific dharana asks you to move beyond them. You may start with a mantra, but the technique truly begins when you drop the mantra and enter the silence from which the mantra emerged and into which it dissolved.
How long should I try to stay in the gap?
Even a split second of pure, supportless awareness is transformative. Do not struggle to 'hold' it, as struggle is just another thought. Simply relax into it repeatedly. Over time, these moments of gap-awareness will spontaneously expand and stabilize into a continuous state of peace.
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