The third meditation mentioned in Vigyan Bhairav Tantra text is a powerful re-emphasis and deeper exposition of the first technique, highlighting the immense importance of the gap between breaths.
The Golden Spot: Center of Non-Movement
The instruction is essentially a restatement of Verse 24, underscoring its pivotal role:
At the Center where the breath does not enter or the breath does not go out, all thoughts disappear. The form of Energy becomes visible, and through her the form of God appears. (Verse 26)
The verse confirms that this is “not a separate meditation practice” but a repetition of the practice from Verse 24, given “for emphasis” because it is a “very important practice” for stilling the mind.
The “Center” refers to the subtle gap between the two breaths. In this moment:
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The breath “does not enter or… does not go out.”
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The practitioner is “completely still” and “not even breathing”.
The Mechanics of Thought Dissolution
The power of this technique lies in the automatic cessation of the mind:
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Stillness stops thought: By being aware of this middle state, this stillness, “all thoughts disappear”.
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Body stillness reflects on the mind: The complete stillness of the body during the pause leads to a still mind. Just as a calm, serene lake makes the mind tranquil, the stillness of the body during the gap makes the mind tranquil and still.
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Mind becomes without support: When the mind focuses on a moment of non-movement, it is deprived of its usual fuel—the movement of thoughts—and falls silent.
Practice Instructions for Profound Calm
The practice remains the same as Verse 24, but with an increased understanding of its psychological depth:
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Complete Attention to the Gap: Pay “complete attention to the gap between two breaths,” making sure not to miss a single one.
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Allow Automatic Softening: The practitioner should not intentionally hold the breath, but rather allow the body to “breathe normally.” The breathing will automatically become “more slowly, more softly, more gently”.
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Awareness brings Peace and Joy:Â As awareness increases, the mind becomes increasingly still, leading to “more peaceful and joyful” feelings.
The Ultimate Manifestation
The result of this sustained stillness is profound: “The form of Energy becomes visible, and through her the form of God appears.” The mind becoming still causes the Energy (Goddess/breath) to reveal itself fully, and the ultimate destination—the form of God—is made manifest. The inner quietude is the prerequisite for experiencing this peace and joy.
This meditation underscores the idea that true tranquility and happiness are not external achievements but a function of the internal state. The path to the form of God is through the form of Energy (the stillness of the breath/mind).