Meditation Through the Sensory Method – Part 2
Friends, in the previous section, we discussed how some individuals possess heightened sensory abilities—sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch—which set them apart from the average person. However, such individuals are often unaware of these unique traits. I would like to draw your attention to an article published in The New York Times on March 15, 1964. You can easily find it online. Reading it will help you understand why we are emphasizing the five senses and why we began this tantra-yoga with sensory awareness.
When a person has a sensory ability that exceeds the norm, it implies that their “sixth sense,” or intuition, is inherently active from birth, without needing external awakening. This unique combination makes them distinct from others. Unknowingly, they rely on this heightened sense and intuition in daily life, often deriving great satisfaction from it. However, this same gift can lead to their downfall. Over time, they may become isolated from society, unable to understand why they are treated differently.
As we explained earlier, this meditation method is specifically designed for such individuals. Now, let us explore how these individuals can use this method to succeed in meditation and spiritual practice.
The Nature of Extroverts and Introverts with Heightened Senses
Such individuals are often extroverts, as they tend to share and highlight their special abilities. Over time, they may fall prey to negativity, using their unique gifts to criticize or find flaws in others. On the other hand, a minority of these individuals may be introverts, prone to slipping into depression due to their sensitivity. Both extroverts and introverts struggle to understand why people around them appear to stand against them.
How This Method Can Transform Such Individuals
Using the method described in Sutra 32, such individuals can not only become beloved in society but also achieve rapid success in meditation. By sharpening their sixth sense, they can attain new heights in both worldly and spiritual realms.
- For Extroverts: Practice meditation with open eyes. Focus on a fixed point, such as a one-inch dot on a wall, or any object of your choice. Concentrate on it without blinking, similar to Tratak meditation.
- For Introverts: Meditate with closed eyes, centering your focus on the space between your eyebrows.
Transition from Ordinary to Extraordinary Awareness
Initially, this practice resembles a common meditation technique. However, individuals with heightened sensory sensitivity unconsciously direct energy toward their heightened sense. Spiritual teachings and psychology both suggest that overuse of physical energy for sensory input can prevent us from achieving what we truly desire in life. This method aims to halt the outward flow of energy, redirecting it inward. Once the energy begins to flow inward, the connection between the heightened sense and the sixth sense is severed. This separation allows both to guide the practitioner into deep meditative states that ordinary individuals cannot easily access.
Releasing Stored Sensory Data
What you may perceive as merely using a heightened sense is actually storing vast amounts of sensory data in your memory. The sense itself is not as detrimental as the stored data. When you consciously use the sense, no new data will be stored, and this is when you begin to distinguish yourself from an ordinary person.
For example, if your heightened sense is vision and you are meditating with open eyes, begin by recalling everything you saw during the day. Practice this for a few days, then try to remember something specific from a few days ago, then from a month ago, and finally from years past. Gradually, the stored data will diminish, and only the object in front of you will remain. Eventually, even that object will fade from your awareness.
Entering Deeper States of Meditation
With consistent practice, after five to six days, you will notice that the sensitivity of your heightened sense has decreased. This marks the beginning of deeper meditation. This practice can be applied to any of the five senses.
Key Points to Remember
- Meditation duration can range from a minute to an hour, but do not force yourself to sit or strain your senses.
- Time does not matter; what matters is sitting slightly longer than your body naturally permits.
The ultimate goal of this method is to redirect the energy expended on a heightened sense and bring it to rest. This occurs naturally when you practice regularly with intention. This is all a game of the mind. Initially, the mind will cooperate and direct the energy toward the sense, but over time, the mind itself will begin to disappear. As this happens, control over your mind will start to emerge.
Through this method, the journey from unconscious energy expenditure to conscious mastery begins. Thank you.
