Vigyan Bhairava Tantra

Sutra – 76

Darsh: Vision, Sight, Krishna, and the Eternal Gaze

Friends, consider yourself truly blessed to possess the gift of sight.

But pause for a moment and ask yourself—do you truly make the best use of this divine gift?

Among the five senses, the eyes are the most powerful and vital. They are the gateway to beauty, enabling us to behold and lose ourselves in the wonder of creation.

In the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, vision—both literal and metaphorical—holds special significance. This is because it offers a swift and accessible path to reach a higher state of consciousness, a state you may not yet have experienced but can achieve with consistent practice and dedication.

The Practice of Vision-Based Meditation

According to this method, if you choose to meditate during the day, find a room or spot where sunlight falls on the wall in front of you. This practice can be done indoors or outdoors, as long as you have a surface, like a wall, illuminated by sunlight.

If you meditate at night or in a closed room, light a lamp near the wall you are facing, ensuring the flame is at the same height as your eyes. This eliminates the need to tilt your head or strain your gaze, allowing you to remain comfortable and focused for extended periods.

Sit in a meditative posture such as Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Vajrasana (Diamond Pose), or Sukhasana (Easy Pose). If practicing during the day, gently gaze at the sunlight on the wall. At night, focus on the flame of the lamp. The key is to gaze softly, not stare.

Your breath should flow naturally—neither too deep nor too rapid. Just as you rarely notice your breath during daily activities, let it remain effortless. This unbroken rhythm allows your mind to settle naturally.

The Colors Within the Light

As you gaze at the light—whether sunlight or the flame—you will eventually perceive various colors within it. These colors are always present in light, as science confirms, though we seldom notice them.

After a while, shift your focus to observing these individual colors. With time and effort, you will begin to discern distinct hues within the light. Gradually, focus on these colors merging back into the light from which they emerged. This subtle merging signifies the unity and interconnectedness of all things.

If at first, you do not see these colors, close your eyes and visualize them. With repeated practice, you will find yourself seeing them clearly, even with open eyes. As you progress, this practice will deepen, and you will find yourself immersed in meditation even with open eyes.

The Deeper Truths Revealed by This Practice

This method sheds light on profound spiritual truths:

1. The Role of Inner Consciousness in Perception
   While we believe that sight is governed by our eyes, spirituality teaches that true vision arises only when our inner, higher consciousness is awakened. Without this activation, even open eyes and perfect sight cannot lead to real seeing.

   Science, once skeptical, now acknowledges this concept as super consciousness. Spirituality has long maintained that it is our pranic or soul force that governs the senses. For instance, when you observe someone sleeping deeply, their eyes may remain open, yet they see nothing because their consciousness is not engaged.

   This practice invites us to turn inward, to recognize and awaken the force that governs our senses and enables true perception. Once this force is harnessed, everything becomes possible.

2. The Power of Thought
   This teaching emphasizes the immense power of thought. Thought can manifest the impossible and dissolve the possible. Every action and transformation begins with thought. Recognizing this, one must use this power wisely and deliberately.
3. The Unity Within Diversity
   Just as sunlight contains an infinite spectrum of colors, every aspect of life is composed of countless shades and dimensions. All these facets coexist, waiting to be noticed and understood. The practice helps you cultivate the ability to perceive these layers, unveiling the beauty and unity hidden in the complexity of existence.

The Call to Inner Awakening

Despite having functional eyes and the ability to see, most of us fail to truly observe. Our gaze remains outward, blind to the deeper truths within and around us. This practice trains you to shift your perspective, to embrace the subtleties that lie beyond mere appearances.

As you progress, your understanding of life transforms. You begin to see that every experience, every shade of light and darkness, is governed by a higher force. This awakening helps you align with the flow of life, unlocking the limitless potential within you.

The teaching reminds us that just as light holds a spectrum of colors, so too does life encompass infinite possibilities. By refining your vision and shifting your perspective, you can perceive and embrace this boundless beauty. Through such awakening, life itself becomes a meditation, and every moment a step closer to the divine.