Hour 54 Meditation – Vigyan Bhairava Tantra Tantric Meditations (Part 1)

Basic Meditation Certification Unit 5 Meditation – Classical Meditation Techniques from Indian Yogic Tradition Hour 54 Meditation – Vigyan Bhairava Tantra Tantric Meditations (Part 1)

Vigyan Bhairava Tantra Tantric Meditations (Part 1)

Introduction: A Gateway to Inner Infinity

Tantra is normally misunderstood in contemporary times. As much as the term tends to conjure pictures of esoteric rituals or sexual practices, what it actually amounts to is spiritual transformation — utilizing the body, mind, senses, and world as doors to the Divine. Tantra affirms: You need not renounce anything; transform everything into meditation.

One of the most seminal works of Tantric philosophy is the Vigyan Bhairava Tantra, which is a conversation between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. “Vigyan” is experiential knowledge, and “Bhairava” is the boundless Divine Consciousness — the formless Shiva. This book presents 112 meditation practices, each a portal to the Ultimate Reality.

In this module, we’ll be exploring the essence of Tantra, its revolutionary vision, and diving into the first set of changing meditations from the Vigyan Bhairava Tantra.

The Context: A Divine Dialogue

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra starts off with Devi Parvati posing a question that burns in the heart of every seeker:

“O Lord, what is the true nature of this universe? What is liberation? What is the nature of all paths? Please disclose the highest truth.”

Shiva responds — not in philosophy, but in direct means. He provides 112 meditative practices, no beliefs necessary, only awareness.

Fundamental Principles of Tantric Meditation

Anything can be a doorway:

Breath, feelings, sounds, touch — even fear — all can be doorways to awareness.

No repression, only transformation:

Nothing is rejected — even strong emotions and sensual sensations become fuel for awakening.

Start where you are:

Each ordinary moment — a breath, a glance, a sigh — can become sacred with awareness.

Transcend duality:

Transcend the split of subject and object. Become One with Oneness.

Techniques are experiential, not theoretical:

Tantra is not faith. It is practice. It is not thoughts. It is direct experience.

The Structure of the 112 Techniques

Although not structured in a fixed category, the ancient techniques in Vigyan Bhairava Tantra tend to practice:

Breath Awareness

Meditations on the Chakras and Energy Centres

Awareness Practices based on the Sensations

Transformative Techniques to Shift Emotions

Space and Void Meditations

Methods through Sound and Mantra

Witnessing Awareness, Silence

Direct access to the nature of existence is provided in each path.

Selected Meditations from Vigyan Bhairava Tantra – Part 1

Let us move through some necessary meditations within this holy work — each serving as an entry point into existence.

1. Breath Awareness Meditation

“As the breath expands and contracts, with full mindfulness, realize the space between the breaths. In that interval, the Divine is revealed.”

Method:

Sit still and watch your spontaneous breath.

Don’t interfere — simply observe.

See the silence between inhale and exhale.

Rest your awareness in that quiet gap.

Why It Works:

The gap is a moment of stopping thought.

In that silence, awareness blazes — time and thought-free.

2. Mantra Dissolution Technique

“Chant a sound silently or aloud. Then stop suddenly. In the silence that follows, feel the vastness.”

Method:

Repeat a mantra (e.g., OM, HU, Aham, Shivo’ham).

Let it fill your being.

Then stop… suddenly.

Fall into the silence that remains.

Why It Works:

The mantra clears thought vibrations.

The sudden silence opens a pure space of awareness.

3. Centering in the Heart

“Focus on the center of your chest — the space of the heart — and feel it expand into infinity.”

Method:

Bring awareness to the heart center.

Sense the space within your chest.

Allow that presence to expand outward — limitlessly.

Why It Works:

The heart is more than bodily — it is a subtle gateway to pure consciousness.

4. Gazing at the Sky

“Lie down under the open sky. Without thought, gaze into the blue. Let the sky enter you.”

Method:

On a clear day, lie down and look upward.

Gaze into the sky without labeling anything.

Let go of words like “blue” or “cloud.”

Let vastness seep into your being.

Why It Works:

The sky reflects your own infinite nature — silent, open, thought-free.

5. Listen to Sound — Then Silence

“Listen to music or sound completely. When it stops, stay attentive to the silence that comes after.”

Method:

Play a gentle sound — a bell, waves, flute, or birdsong.

Listen with complete presence.

When the sound stops… just be present. Listen to the silence.

Why It Works:

The contrast between sound and silence makes awareness more real.

How These Meditations Are Practiced

Select One Technique:

Select one that suits your temperament. Don’t mix too many.

Prepare Sacred Space:

Light a candle, purify your space. Let the body sense honored.

Practice Daily:

Sit for 10–20 minutes each day — in quietude, not effort.

No Effort, Only Awareness:

Tantra is not about effort — it is about letting be.

Reflect Afterwards:

Write down your felt sense — not thoughts or concepts — but what awakened inside.

Tantra’s Embrace of Life

Why is Vigyan Bhairava Tantra so profoundly relevant, even today?

You don’t have to renounce or flee your life to meditate.

Tantra invites you to take the raw material of life — pain, pleasure, breath, chaos — and use it to awaken.

Fear, desire, laughter, sound — all become gateways to the sacred.

The world is not illusion. It is divine reality.

Tantra embraces it all. Nothing is denied. Everything is transmuted.

Reflection Journal

Use this simple journal format to explore your meditative experience. Not for judgment — just awareness.

Breath Gap

What did you feel?