The Sutra
"Sweet-hearted one, meditate on knowing and not-knowing, existing and not-existing. Then leave both aside that you may be."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
Shiva calls Devi "sweet-hearted one" - the most tender address in this text. Then the instruction: meditate on the pairs of opposites - knowing and not-knowing, existing and not-existing. Hold both simultaneously. Then drop both. When both knowing AND not-knowing are left aside, when both existing AND not-existing are abandoned, what remains? YOU. Pure being beyond all categories, all pairs, all opposites. That you may simply BE.
Original Sanskrit
आसने शयने स्थित्वा निराधारं विभावयेत् ।
aasane shayane sthitvaa niraadhaaram vibhaavayet |
Vijnanabhairava Verse 134 (Technique 111 of 112)
How to Practice
Sit quietly and contemplate knowing. What is it to know something? Feel the quality of knowing.
Then contemplate not-knowing. What is it to not know? Feel the quality of not-knowing.
Hold both simultaneously - the knowing and the not-knowing. Do not resolve the paradox.
Now contemplate existing. Feel the sense of "I exist." Then contemplate not-existing. What would non-existence be?
Hold both - existing and not-existing - simultaneously. Again, do not resolve.
Finally, leave ALL of it aside. Drop knowing and not-knowing. Drop existing and not-existing. What remains when all categories are abandoned? YOU. Simply being. Rest there.
Duration
25-40 minutes
Best Time
Deep night meditation (midnight-3 AM)
Related Techniques
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