Sit Only on Buttocks - Sudden Centering
मृद्वासने स्फिजैकेन हस्तपादौ निराश्रयम् । निधाय तत्प्रसङ्गेन परा पूर्णा मतिर् भवेत् ॥
mṛdvāsane sphijaikena hastapādau nirāśrayam | nidhāya tatprasaṅgena parā pūrṇā matir bhavet ||
VBT Verse 78
The Sutra
"Without support for feet or hands, sit only on the buttocks. Suddenly, the centering."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
A sudden, physical technique. Sit balanced only on your buttocks with feet and hands lifted off the ground. In this precarious balance, the mind has no choice but to become instantly centered. You cannot think about the past or future when your body demands total present-moment attention to maintain balance. The centering happens "suddenly" - not gradually.
Original Sanskrit
मृद्वासने स्फिजैकेन हस्तपादौ निराश्रयम् । निधाय तत्प्रसङ्गेन परा पूर्णा मतिर् भवेत् ॥
mṛdvāsane sphijaikena hastapādau nirāśrayam | nidhāya tatprasaṅgena parā pūrṇā matir bhavet ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 78 (Technique 19 of 112)
How to Practice
Sit on the ground. Lift your feet off the floor and raise your hands so they touch nothing.
Balance entirely on your sitting bones. You may lean back slightly to find equilibrium.
The body will wobble. The mind must become completely present to maintain balance.
Do not fight the instability - let it demand your total attention.
In that demand, the mind drops all its noise. There is only THIS moment, THIS balance.
The centering is "sudden" - it happens the instant the mind fully commits to balance.
Duration
5-10 minutes (physically demanding)
Best Time
Morning - when the body is fresh
Related Techniques
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