Feel an Object, Then Its Absence - Realize
एकमेव स्मरन्ध्यायन्विशेषं सर्वगं ततः । अन्यन्न भावयेन्मन्त्री मन्त्रवीर्येण चेतसा ॥
ekameva smarandhyayanvisesham sarvagam tatah | anyanna bhavayenmantri mantraviryena cetasa ||
VBT Verse 46
The Sutra
"Feel an object before you. Feel the absence of all other objects but this one. Then leaving aside the object-feeling and the absence-feeling, Realize."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
A three-stage technique of progressive subtlety. First, feel the presence of an object fully. Second, feel the absence of everything else - only this object exists. Third, let go of BOTH the feeling of the object AND the feeling of absence. What remains when both presence and absence are dropped? That which can never be dropped - pure Realization.
Original Sanskrit
एकमेव स्मरन्ध्यायन्विशेषं सर्वगं ततः । अन्यन्न भावयेन्मन्त्री मन्त्रवीर्येण चेतसा ॥
ekameva smarandhyayanvisesham sarvagam tatah | anyanna bhavayenmantri mantraviryena cetasa ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 46 (Technique 23 of 112)
How to Practice
Place an object before you - a stone, a flower, anything simple.
Stage 1: Feel this object completely. Its weight, texture, color, presence. Be saturated with it.
Stage 2: Now expand your awareness to feel the ABSENCE of everything else. Only this object exists in a vast void.
Stage 3: Now let go of both - the feeling of the object AND the feeling of absence. Drop both.
What remains? Neither object nor void. Neither something nor nothing.
THIS is Realization - the awareness that exists before, during, and after all objects and their absence.
Duration
20-30 minutes
Best Time
Early morning when the mind is fresh and sharp
Related Techniques
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