The practice
Sing, or listen to something you love. When the delight rises, stop standing apart from it as somebody enjoying music. Let there be only the delight, with no listener on one side and no sound on the other.
What it works on
Where the other joy dharanas ask you to attend to the feeling, this one asks you to dissolve into it. It is the same practice one step further on, and music is the setting where most people find that step easiest.
Notes
- Familiar music works better than new music — new music keeps the mind busy assessing it.
- Singing yourself is stronger than listening.
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.