This meditation technique as mentioned in Vigyan Bhairav Tantra text is a versatile extension of the previous concentration techniques, broadening the field of focus from a specific object to any object or space, proving that liberation can be found universally.
Universal Focus: Absorbed into Supreme Reality
The instruction simplifies the object of meditation, making the practice universally accessible:
Similarly, by gradually focussing one’s attention on anything, whether on space, or a wall, or a great person, one is completely absorbed into the Supreme Reality. (Verse 33)
This technique is similar in principle to the peacock’s tail meditation, relying on focused, unwavering attention to bring about the mind’s dissolution. It proposes several different objects for this single-pointed focus:
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Space:Â Looking at the space in front of the eyes.
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A Wall:Â Looking at a wall.
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A Great Person (or Picture):Â Looking at the image or person one respects.
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Any other object one enjoys looking at.
Practice Instructions (Trataka/Fixed Gaze)
The core mechanic of this practice, like all “looking” techniques (Trataka), is the cessation of eye movement to stop the flow of thoughts:
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Choosing the Object: Select a single object or space. The commentary notes that focusing on a plain white wall with no marks is a particularly powerful method because the absence of other objects causes the ego, which thrives on separation, to dissolve very fast. Another option is looking continuously at a single dot on a wall until it fades.
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Unblinking Gaze: Look continuously and steadily at the chosen object or space without moving or blinking the eyes.
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Rest and Resume: If the eyes tire or water, close them briefly, then reopen to continue the practice.
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The Fading of the Point: When the focus is firm, the object may start “fading” or dissolving, which signals that the mind is also beginning to dissolve.
The Dissolution of Ego and Achievement of Unity
The philosophical basis is the same as Verse 32: stopping the eye movement stops the flow of thoughts, which are necessary for the mind’s survival. When the mind is deprived of support, it dissolves, and the practitioner is absorbed into the Supreme Reality.
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Ego Dissolution: By looking at an object (or space) and preventing the mind from creating a sense of separateness, the ego—the sense of individual identity—dissolves. When there is no separation, the individual becomes one with the Whole.
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The Result: Supreme Reality: The sustained focus leads to remaining “without thoughts,” which is the state where one comes closer to realizing one’s true nature and is “completely absorbed into the Supreme Reality.”
This is an affirmation that the Absolute is not confined to exotic locations or difficult feats, but can be reached simply by transfixing one’s attention on the ordinary, for “The longer you keep the eyes open without blinking, the longer you remain without thoughts, and the closer you come to realizing your true nature”.