When a Mood Arises - Remain Centered
सर्वतः स्वशरीरस्य द्वादशान्ते मनोलयम् । दृढबुद्ध्या दृढीभूतं तत्त्वलक्ष्यं प्रवर्तते ॥
sarvatah svashareeraya dvadashante manolayam | drdhabuddhya drdhbhutam tattvalakshyam pravartate ||
VBT Verse 47
The Sutra
"When a mood against someone or for someone arises, do not place it on the person in question, but remain centered."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
Perhaps the most practically useful technique for modern life. When you feel love, anger, jealousy, attraction, or aversion toward someone - STOP. Do not project the feeling onto the person. Instead, remain centered in the feeling itself, without a target. The energy of the emotion, without an object, becomes pure shakti - raw energy that transforms you instead of creating karma.
Original Sanskrit
सर्वतः स्वशरीरस्य द्वादशान्ते मनोलयम् । दृढबुद्ध्या दृढीभूतं तत्त्वलक्ष्यं प्रवर्तते ॥
sarvatah svashareeraya dvadashante manolayam | drdhabuddhya drdhbhutam tattvalakshyam pravartate ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 47 (Technique 24 of 112)
How to Practice
Notice when a strong mood arises - love, anger, jealousy, attraction, irritation.
The natural habit is to direct this feeling AT the person who triggered it. STOP this projection.
Instead, turn inward. Feel the raw energy of the mood in your body - the heat, the intensity, the vibration.
Do not label it "anger" or "love." Just feel the energy without naming it or directing it.
Stay centered in this pure energy. It is neither positive nor negative - it is simply life force.
The energy, freed from its object, will transform. It becomes awareness, presence, inner fire.
This is one of the most powerful techniques for transforming relationships and karmic patterns.
Duration
Spontaneous - whenever a mood arises
Best Time
Any time - practiced in real life situations
Related Techniques
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