Dharana 24 of 112 · verse 32

Five Circles Dissolving

Picture five coloured circles, then let them go one at a time.

00:00Ready

10 minutes. Seated, eyes closed.

Intermediate10 min

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The practice

Imagine five circles of colour, like the eyes on a peacock feather, hanging in front of you. Hold them a while. Then let the outermost dissolve, and the next, and the next, unhurried, until none is left. Do not replace them with anything. Stay in the emptiness where five coloured circles used to be.

What it works on

The text builds a specific and rather beautiful image purely so that it can be taken away. What is being practised is the dissolving, and the elaborateness of the image is what makes its absence noticeable.

Notes

  • Any five colours will serve. The peacock is the traditional picture because the colours sit inside one another.
  • Let each circle go completely before starting on the next.

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.