Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 69

When Shiva and Shakti unite.....

Shakti Sanga Samkshubdha - Shakthyaveshavasanikam| Yatsukham Brahmatathwasya Tatsukham Swakyam Uchyate||
In all of the Vignana Bhairava Tantra, it is this verse and the next that refer to the topic that Tantra is famously misunderstood and misquoted for. Shiva tells his wife Parvathy, yet another way of experiencing the truth.
At the time of union with shakti (woman) in a physical communion, there is an experience of excitement at the time of getting absorbed in the experience. That experience of pleasure when witnessed totally, you discover the Brahma Tatwa. Watching that experience dispassionately gives you a glimpse of the one who watches - the Brahman.
Tantra is unique in the sense that it does not deny any aspect of life by calling it bad or taboo. It includes every aspect of daily life, including sex and showing the means of realisation through all that we do. - Swahilya Shambhavi. (Tiruvannamalai hills from my view atop a building's terrace.)

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 67

Into the heart

Vahanervishasya Madhyetu Chittma Sukhamayam Kshipeth|
Kevalam Vayupoornam Va Smaranandena Yujyate||

In the seat of the heart where all the nerves end in a plexus or a bundle there is a thin stream of energy like a lotus stalk. Focussing on this point where the breath reaches the lungs, as if touching an empty space and returning one gets united to the bliss within that is remembered. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 67

When an ant crawls upward!

Sarvasroto nibandhana Pranashaktyordhwaya Shanaihi| Pipeela Sparshavelayam Prathathe Paramam Sukham||

When all the five organs of perception - eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin and organs of action - the hands, feet, speech, organs of reproduction and excretion - are stilled and refrained from expression, the energy of the mind is diverted and focussed within. It rises within and fills the being. In that heightened state of awareness, the supreme joy that exists is revealed just at the time when a sensation like an ant crawling upward is experienced. The verse gives an idea of the minute and particle-level experience of awareness spoken about. - Swahilya Shambhavi. (Pic. Floating a lamp into the Ganga during arati at the Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, on the eve of the Shahi Snan at Kumbh Mela in April 2010 - Pic. Swaha)

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 66

The way of austerity

Kuhanena Prayogena Sadya Eva Mrigekshane|
Samudeti Mahanando Yena Tathwam Prakashate||

"By forcing the reluctant body, mind and intellect into wilfully doing things, speaking and thinking things that are divine, the application of austerity or tapas sharpens the instruments of action," oh gazelle-eyed Parvathi, says Shiva. By practice of many austerities, a supreme Ananda arises and the truth also shines, he says. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 65

Ever happy within

Sarva Jagat Swadeham Va Swananda Bharitam Smareth| Yugapan Swamritenaiva Paranandamayo Bhaveth||

If you can't make it, fake it. And indeed in this regard, there is no need to fake it but just focus on the truth that exists as it is. This verse tells us to think of the reality that this whole world is our body and filled with supreme joy. At the same time, the nectar of immortality that is within us all the time makes us become the form of supreme bliss of existence. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 64

The together space

Vaayudwayasya Samghattath Antarva Bahiranthathaha| Yogi Samathwa Vignyaana Samudgamana Bhajanam||

The breath that sustains us is like the rope on the pulley that draws water from the well. But in the case of the breath, the air is outside and inside. This method of concentration tells us to focus on the union point of the breath within and without.
When the breath goes in during inhalation, it comes in contact with an empty space as if close to the heart in the lungs. This is the meeting point of the prana with the apana vayu or air. Prana gives life. Apana is present where there is no life too. Same way, when the exhalation happens, the outgoing breath enters to about the same length of space outside the body, beneath the nostrils. Focussing on these two points where the breath touches in and reaches out, brings the mind to a state of stillness. What observes that stillness and movement of the breath is the true self. - Swahilya Shambhavi. (Pic. Tamraparani beneath the setting sun.. Pic. Swa Sham)

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 63

Focus on consciousness

Sarvam Deham Chinmayam Hi Jagad Va Pari Bhavayeth|
Yugapat Nirvikalpena Manasa Paramodayaha||

While seeing this world or while thinking about it, focus on the truth that this whole body and this world are the form of pure consciousness sans waves of imagination. In this state, the supreme truth begins to rise and shine. - Swahilya Shambhavi.