Dharana 47 of 112 · verse 126

Neither Aversion Nor Attachment

Hold the centre between being drawn towards and pushed away from.

Guided practice

00:00Ready

8 minutes. Anywhere.

Intermediate8 min

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The practice

Bring to mind a person or a place you are drawn to, and one you would rather avoid. Notice the lean in each case. Then let go of both leans and stay in the centre between them, without converting it into indifference.

What it works on

The centre is not neutrality and is certainly not coldness. It is the state in which the thing is fully met without the automatic movement towards or away, and the text calls arriving there liberation from a duality.

Notes

  • If it starts to feel like not caring, you have overshot. Warmth without pull is the target.

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.