The Sutra
"Feel your substance, bones, flesh, blood, saturated with cosmic essence."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
Your body is not separate from the cosmos. Your bones are made of the same minerals as mountains. Your blood contains the same iron as ancient stars. Your flesh is made of the same elements as the earth. This technique makes this abstract knowledge into direct experience: feel your bones, flesh, and blood as saturated with cosmic essence. Your body is the universe in miniature.
Original Sanskrit
अस्थिमांसरुधिरस्य लेपेन स्थापयन् ततः ।
asthimaamsarudhirasya lepena sthaapayan tatah |
Vijnanabhairava Verse 113 (Technique 90 of 112)
How to Practice
Sit or lie down. Begin by feeling your bones - the solid structure of your skeleton.
Feel the bones as made of cosmic minerals - the same calcium and phosphorus found in stars and mountains.
Now feel your flesh - muscles, organs, skin. Feel them as made of cosmic substance - earth, water, organic compounds from the universe itself.
Feel your blood flowing. Know that the iron in your blood was forged in ancient supernovae.
Let the feeling of cosmic saturation pervade your entire body. Every cell is cosmic.
You are not a separate being IN the cosmos. You ARE the cosmos, condensed into this particular form. Feel it deeply.
Duration
20-30 minutes
Best Time
Evening or before sleep
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