✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 47 of 112 — The Void Of The Ears
Sanskrit Verse
sarvaṃ dehaṃ chinnavattatpaśyan dhyāyati cetanaḥ | na kiñcicchintayenmaukhaṃ śūnyībhūtaḥ parāṃ vrajet ||
If one meditates with a steady mind, seeing the whole body as cut off or empty, and does not think of anything else, one becomes empty and reaches the Supreme.
Commentary
This profound dharana utilizes the power of radical de-identification. The Sanskrit phrase 'chinnavattat' implies seeing the body as if it were severed or disconnected. From a metaphysical standpoint, our primary bondage is the 'Deha-pramatri'—the erroneous belief that I am this physical body. By consciously visualizing the body as a shell, or as something 'cut off' from the observing consciousness, the practitioner breaks the glue of identification. This is not a macabre exercise but a surgical removal of the ego's house. When the body is perceived as an object separate from the 'Cetana' (the conscious observer), the mind finds no place to rest its usual anxieties and desires. The instruction 'not to think of anything else' (na kincic chintayet) leads to a state of 'Shunyibhuta'—becoming the void itself. This is the 'Maukham' or the primary silence. As the practitioner successfully dissociates from the somatic sensations, the consciousness expands into the 'Para' or the Supreme state, which is the underlying reality of both the body and the void.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit in a posture where you can remain still. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths to relax.
- 02Now, begin to visualize your body as being empty, like a hollow statue or a shell. Take it a step further by mentally 'cutting off' your identification with each limb and organ.
- 03See the body as an object outside of yourself, as if it were a discarded garment. Do not engage with any physical sensations that arise; simply observe them as happening 'over there' in that discarded shell.
- 04Refrain from any discursive thought. When you have successfully neutralized the feeling of being inside the body, focus on the emptiness that remains where 'you' used to be.
- 05Dwell in this state of being 'empty' (Shunya). Stay in this silent, objectless awareness, allowing your consciousness to drift into the supreme state beyond physical form.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean I should hate my body?
Absolutely not. In Tantra, the body is a temple. This technique is a temporary cognitive shift to break limiting attachments. By 'cutting off' identification, you are actually discovering the infinite consciousness that sustains the body, leading to a deeper, more spiritual appreciation of existence.
I find it difficult to see my body as 'cut off.'
If 'cutting off' feels too intense, try visualizing your body as being made of glass or empty space. The goal is to remove the 'density' of your identification. As long as you feel you are the witness and the body is the witnessed, you are succeeding.
What should I do if I feel pain while practicing?
Use the pain as part of the practice. Observe the pain as a sensation happening in the 'empty shell' of the body. By not claiming the pain as 'mine,' you can observe it with detachment, which often leads to the pain diminishing or your reaction to it vanishing.
How does 'becoming empty' lead to the Supreme?
In Kashmir Shaivism, the Supreme (Shiva) is not a 'thing' but the capacity for all things. By emptying the mind of limited objects (like the body), you create the space for the unlimited nature of Shiva to reveal itself. Emptiness is the doorway to fullness.
Can this practice cause a 'split' in my personality?
No, this is a controlled meditative exercise. It develops 'Sakshi Bhava' or witness consciousness. You are not creating a psychological disorder; you are cultivating the spiritual ability to remain centered in your true self regardless of physical circumstances or bodily changes.
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