Vigyan Bhairava Tantra
Sutra – 26
Meditation at the Navel Center: Sutra 26
Sutra 24 teaches us to cultivate awareness of the breath, guiding our focus to its natural rhythm of inhalation and exhalation.
Sutra 25 shifts our attention to the subtle turning points—where the inward breath reverses outward, and the outward breath pivots inward.
In Sutra 26, these principles merge at the navel center, where the incoming and outgoing breaths unite. This sutra invites us to become conscious of the breath, particularly at the point where it reaches the navel before reversing.
When you concentrate on the breath as instructed in Sutra 24 and 25, it naturally becomes longer and deeper. This deepened breath begins to move gently toward the navel center. At the navel, the breath pauses momentarily, neither fully inhaled nor exhaled. This is the space of convergence, the meeting point of incoming and outgoing breaths, where we are invited to direct our awareness.
In this stillness, the body becomes perfectly stable, and this stability leads effortlessly to meditation. The pause between breaths at the navel center holds immense spiritual significance. By remaining aware of this middle state, all thoughts dissolve. The body achieves stillness, and consequently, the mind becomes serene. This cessation of mental activity marks the attainment of meditative absorption.
This interval between breaths is uniquely profound. However, do not attempt to force or manipulate this stillness. Allow the breath to flow naturally. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and center your focus on the gap between breaths. Strive to be fully present for each pause, ensuring no interval is overlooked.
As you practice, you will notice your breath gradually becoming softer, longer, and more effortless. Your breathing rate decreases naturally, and you become more aware of the tranquility within. The intervals between breaths expand, bringing greater stillness to the mind. Thoughts diminish, and a sense of peace and joy arises.
A child in the womb breathes through the navel, for it is the point that connects them to life. Even after birth, a newborn naturally breathes from the belly. But as we grow and become immersed in worldly distractions, we forget this innate connection to the navel center. This sutra reminds us to rediscover this natural breath and shows us how the navel chakra can lead to deep meditation.
Modern life has distanced us from this vital center, leaving us restless, unhappy, and physically or mentally unwell. We have forgotten to breathe in harmony with our center. Instead, our breath often remains shallow, disconnected from the depths of the navel. The societal notion of chest breathing may stem from an unfounded fear of the navel’s proximity to the sexual center. But this perspective is misguided. Breathing from the navel not only brings mastery over desires and impulses but also paves the way to profound meditative states.
Friends, if you are uncertain about your body’s capabilities or unsure which meditation technique suits you best, explore them all one by one. Practice each method consistently for a week or two. The technique that resonates with you will feel natural and easy, guiding you gently toward meditation.
The navel center is not merely a physiological or energetic point; it is the very axis of life. When you reconnect with it, you rediscover harmony, stability, and the gateway to the infinite.
