Dharana 22 of 112 · verse 114

The Sound With No Letters

Close the ears and attend to the continuous sound that is already there.

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8 minutes. Seated, ears closed with the thumbs.

Advanced8 min

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Before you try this

The pelvic-floor lock described in the same verse is not taught here — it belongs with a teacher present, and is not appropriate during pregnancy or with pelvic-floor conditions. Do not insert anything into the ears, and skip this if you have ear pain, an infection, or tinnitus that distresses you.

The practice

Sit and close both ears with the thumbs. Underneath the outside world there is a faint continuous sound with no vowel and no consonant in it — a fine ringing or rushing. Attend to that. Let it become the only thing.

What it works on

The full verse pairs closing the ears with a pelvic-floor contraction. Shoonyaka teaches only the listening half, which is complete in itself and carries none of the difficulty of the other half.

Notes

  • The sound is always present; closing the ears only removes what was covering it.
  • Press the tragus gently. Do not push into the ear canal.

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.