Inhale....hold....

Exhale...hold....

Marutontar Bahirvaapi Viyadyugmanivarthanath
Bhairavya Bhairavasyethham Bhairavi Vyajyate Vapuhu
In a continuation of the previous technique, the one who is practising to know the essence can apply this method. When consciously breathing in, there are a few moments that can be spent at the point where the breath touches the inner space. Similarly. as the breath flows out completely on exhalation, there are a few seconds that can be spent in the empty sace after breathing out.
In pranayama breathing techniques, it is usually done as inhale four counts, hold two counts, exhale five counts and again hold two counts. While holding, it is important to realise that the empty space where the breath has merged with is consciousness. This consciousness is Bhairava, constantly manifesting from the essence as Bhairavi or Energy. Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com).

Meditation techniques

Many ways to realise

Sri Bhairava Uvacha

Urdhve Pranau Hyadho Jeevo Visargathma Parochchareth

Utpatti Dwitayasthane Bharanaath Bharitha Sthithihi

*****

The flow of the breath in and out has happening since the time we were born. And we refer to a person who passed away saying, "He breathed his last."

Besides the body, the breath has been there since birth. The very first technique of meditation that Shiva begins with, to explain to Parvathy the ways to reach the state of fullness - it is the breath that he talks about.

The breath carries the life energy that sustains the body and energises the mind. That life force is called Prana. This breath begins at a particular point at the entrance of the nostrils. They go down and ultimately touch a point within us in the chest.

My Guru, Swami Akshara in his '10 Best Meditation Techniques,' based on the Vignana Bhairava Tantra, explains a meditation technique using this verse. "Follow your breath mentally to the beginning of your inhalation and up to the end of your exhalation. It is the most effortless activity where you travel with the breath mentally. The point where your breath has reached and touching inside you is your soul. That is where Shiva is present," he says. The end of the breath where it touches the world outside is where the Shakti, the cosmic energy, the prakriti is present.

This simple technique of being with the breath mentally brings in a sense of totality and completeness to the mind. This can be done anytime, anyplace and anywhere. In a few minutes, you can see your mind becoming calm and settled. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Last few questions

The questions are done

Deva Deva Trishoolanka Kapala Krita Bhooshana

Digdesha Kaala Shoonyacha Vyapadesha Vivarjitha

Yaavastha Bharithakara Bhairavasyopalabhyate

Yatha Samyag Aham Vedmi Tatha Me Broohi Bhairava

*****

Parvathy continues her questioning and soon she will begin to have the answers. And so will we! "Oh God of all Gods, the wielder of the trident and the one who has made the skull his ornament, the one who is free of directions, place, time and is free from any kind of descriptions.

By what means, can the state of fullness of Bhairava be achieved. Please tell me in a manner that I shall completely know.

She also wants to know how the supreme energy also becomes the means through which Bhairava is known. The material world that we can experience with our five senses - including the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, sun and the moon and all the galaxies - are the manifestations of the supreme energy. It is through this world that we get to know about the substratum of consciousness called Bhairava.

With this ends the questioning by Parvathy and begins the Yoga as expounded by Shiva from the next verse. - Swahilya Shambhavi. (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

(Pic: Walking in solitude at Charan Paduka, Badrinath. You can see through my glasses that there was none else to take this picture!)

Flame and Ray

Show the light and sun

Yathalokena Deepasya Kiranair Bhaskarasyacha

Gnyayate Digvibhagadi Tadvatshakthya Shivah Priye

The flame of a lamp and the rays of the sun reveal to us the different directions by showing the form of the objects they light up and the existence of space. Similarly, the existence and movement of shakti reveals the presence of Consciousness, that is Shiva. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Fire and heat

Bhairava and Bhairavi

Na vanher dahika shakthi Vyatirikta Vibhavyate
Kevalam Gnana SattayamPrarambhoyam Praveshane


Just as the power to burn is not different from the fire, though initially one does not understand it in that manner, similarly wisdom is not different from consciousness - though it seem
as different at the beginning.

You are God

And everything else too

Shakti Shaktimator Yadwat Abhedas Sarvada Sthithaha

Athasthaddharmadharmithwath Parashakthih Parathmanaha

This verse simply says you and everything else is God - Consciousness, Awareness. The power or energy and its container are one. There is no function for them independently. The electricity and its container are one/ There is no function for them independently. The electricity is contained in the wire. Without the wore, the electricity cannot be transported. Without the electricity, the wire can be used just as some plastic rope. Likewise, all nature that you see around you, including yourself contain the dharma or the force of nature that sustains. The holder of this dharma, i.e. you and I, are not different from the dharma. Same way, the supreme cosmic energy is not different from its container, the supreme soul.

- Swahilya Shambhavi.

Prakriti-Purusha

Matter 'n Spirit

Evam Vidha Bhairavasya Yavastha Parigeeyate

Saa paraa pararoopena Paradevi Prakeerthitha

*****

Consciousness exists. But how can it be known. By the names and forms which are the manifestation of energy says the Vignana Bhairavba Tantra.

The state of the Bhairava has been described in this manner. The knowledge of the consciousness is possible through the mind which is Prakriti - nature. We call nature as the mother - Mother Earth, the rivers are given feminine names. We are born out of this combination of consciousness and energy - Purusha and Prakriti. It is through the mother - prakriti, we are introduced to the father Purusha. Whether masculine, feminine, neuter or inert, all creatures of nature are born out of this Supreme consciousness. It is they who show to us the existence of this consciousness.

(Picture: A long time ago, singing a bhajan.)

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Tirumandiram, Bhagavad Gita, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)