While Singing, Seeing, Tasting - Discover the Ever-Living
यत्र यत्र मनस्तुष्टिर्मनस्तत्रैव धारयेत् । तत्र तत्र परानन्दस्वरूपं सम्प्रकाशते ॥
yatra yatra manastushtirmanatatraiva dharayet | tatra tatra paraanandasvarupam samprakashate ||
VBT Verse 76
The Sutra
"O lotus eyed one, sweet of touch, when singing, seeing, tasting, be aware you are and discover the Ever-living."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
One of the most beautiful sutras, beginning with the tender address "O lotus eyed one, sweet of touch." During any sensory experience - singing, seeing beauty, tasting food - add one thing: be aware that YOU ARE. Not just the experience, but the experiencer. This "I am" awareness, held during any pleasure, reveals the Ever-living - the eternal consciousness that is having all experiences.
Original Sanskrit
यत्र यत्र मनस्तुष्टिर्मनस्तत्रैव धारयेत् । तत्र तत्र परानन्दस्वरूपं सम्प्रकाशते ॥
yatra yatra manastushtirmanatatraiva dharayet | tatra tatra paraanandasvarupam samprakashate ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 76 (Technique 53 of 112)
How to Practice
During any pleasurable sensory experience - singing, seeing beauty, tasting - pause inwardly.
While fully enjoying the experience, add a dimension: be aware that YOU ARE.
You are singing AND you are aware that you exist. You are seeing AND you know you are.
This double awareness - experience plus self-awareness - opens a door.
Through this door, you discover the Ever-living: the consciousness that does not come and go.
Experiences change. The Ever-living does not. It has always been here, aware of everything.
Duration
During any sensory experience
Best Time
Throughout the day
Related Techniques
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