Dharana 25 of 112 · verse 43

Space in Every Direction

Hold the body in mind, then let open space extend from it on all sides at once.

00:00Ready

10 minutes. Seated, eyes closed.

Beginner10 min

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The practice

Sit with a clear sense of the body. Now let your sense of space open outward in every direction at the same time — in front, behind, to both sides, above, below — with nothing at the far end of any of them. Keep all directions open simultaneously rather than sweeping around them one by one.

What it works on

The simultaneity is the difficult and important part. Taking the directions in turn is a tour; holding them together is what dissolves the sense of facing one way, which is what the dharana is for.

Notes

  • Practising outdoors makes this much easier the first few times.

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.