The Sutra
"Wherever your mind is wandering, internally or externally, at this very place, this."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
The mind wanders constantly - to memories, plans, fantasies, worries. Most meditation tries to stop this wandering. This technique does the opposite: wherever the mind goes, THAT is the meditation. Every place the mind wanders IS "this" - consciousness. You cannot escape consciousness. Even distraction is consciousness being distracted. Realize this, and all wandering becomes meditation.
Original Sanskrit
ग्राह्यग्राहकसंवित्तिः सामान्या सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥
graahyagraahaksamvittih saamaanyaa sarvadehinaam ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 85 (Technique 62 of 112)
How to Practice
Do not try to stop the mind from wandering. Let it go wherever it wants.
But add one element: wherever it goes, recognize "this is consciousness here too."
Mind goes to a memory? That memory is happening in consciousness. THIS.
Mind goes to a fantasy? That fantasy is made of consciousness. THIS.
Mind worries about the future? That worry is consciousness worrying. THIS.
Every location the mind visits is consciousness. There is nowhere to go that is NOT this.
Duration
Continuous - all day
Best Time
Every moment
Related Techniques
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