Senses Absorbed in the Heart - Center of the Lotus
तनूदेशे शून्यतैव क्षणमात्रं विभावयेत् । निर्विकल्पं निर्विकल्पो निर्विकल्पस्वरूपभाक् ॥
tanudeshe shunyataiva kshanamaaatram vibhavayet | nirvikalpam nirvikalpo nirvikalpasvarupabhak ||
VBT Verse 39
The Sutra
"Blessed One, as senses are absorbed in the heart, reach the center of the lotus."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
Instead of projecting outward through eyes, ears, and skin, let all your senses reverse their flow and dissolve into the heart center. The heart (Anahata chakra) is described as a lotus - and at its very center is the bindu point of pure awareness. When all sensory energy returns to this center, you touch the source from which all perception originates.
Original Sanskrit
तनूदेशे शून्यतैव क्षणमात्रं विभावयेत् । निर्विकल्पं निर्विकल्पो निर्विकल्पस्वरूपभाक् ॥
tanudeshe shunyataiva kshanamaaatram vibhavayet | nirvikalpam nirvikalpo nirvikalpasvarupabhak ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 39 (Technique 16 of 112)
How to Practice
Sit quietly with eyes closed. Become aware of your senses - what you hear, feel, smell.
Now imagine each sense stream reversing direction - flowing INWARD instead of outward.
Let the energy of hearing flow into the heart. Let the energy of sight flow inward. Touch, taste, smell - all flowing inward.
Visualize the heart center as a lotus flower. All sensory streams are converging at its center.
At the very center of the lotus is a still point - the bindu. All senses merge here into one awareness.
Rest in this center. There is no seeing, hearing, or touching - only pure awareness at the heart of the lotus.
This technique naturally calms the nervous system as it reverses the outward pull of the senses.
Duration
20-25 minutes
Best Time
Evening - when the senses are naturally ready to withdraw
Related Techniques
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