Dharana 60 of 112 · verse 118

At the Edges of Strong Moments

The beginning and end of a sneeze, of fear, of grief, of hunger, of curiosity.

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5 minutes. Anywhere.

Intermediate5 min

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Before you try this

Use the mild states — sneezing, hunger, curiosity — rather than deliberately revisiting frightening or grief-stricken ones. If you are carrying real grief, Shoonyaka’s Holding Grief sadhana is a gentler place to be.

The practice

Certain moments have unusually clear edges: the start and finish of a sneeze, the first instant of fright, the arrival of grief, the onset of hunger, the leap of curiosity. At the very beginning or the very end of any of them, before you have organised a response, look. Stay in the unorganised moment.

What it works on

The text groups pleasant and unpleasant states together without distinction, which tells you what it thinks is doing the work. It is not the emotion. It is the seam where a state begins or ends and the usual commentary has not started yet.

Notes

  • Sneezing and hunger are the easiest to practise with, being frequent and low-stakes.
  • Do not go looking for fear or grief. Use them if they arrive.

Practise gently

Shoonyaka offers educational and contemplative material, not medical, psychological or religious authority. Nothing here diagnoses or treats any condition. Stop any practice that leaves you dizzy, frightened or unwell, and treat a strong reaction as a reason to rest rather than to push on.