#38 Center of thoughts Meditation
When one has knowledge or perception of any two thoughts, one should simultaneously leave both aside, and reside in the ‘center between the two. In the center, one’s true nature shines forth.Verse 61
How to do this technique
- When two thoughts arise together, one has to leave them both aside, and reside in the center between the two. What is in the center between two thoughts? Awareness is in the center. Between two thoughts, one is in a state of awareness. When one is thinking one cannot be aware, as one is lost in the chain of thoughts. reside in the center. Reside in awareness. Remain in a state of awareness throughout the day.
- The Vigyan Bhairava is sometimes called a text on centering. Centering means to reside in the center, to live in awareness. Usually, our attention is directed outwards to the world around us. When some of our attention is also directed back towards us, then we are in a state of awareness. We are aware of the self.
- The amount of attention that is directed to ourselves varies. Sometimes, the majority of our attention is inward and less outward, and at other times, the reverse is true. At least some attention should be directed to ourselves, even 1 %. If no attention is directed inward, then a person is not in a state of awareness.
- They are lost in the external world. This frequently happens when we engage in a conversation with someone. We lose awareness of ourselves. The Real Center is within us. It is within us that we find God, it is within us that we experience God. The senses and everything the senses perceive is at the periphery.
- In a state of awareness, we are aware of ourselves, which means we are aware of our Center. Awareness is our true nature. It is through awareness that we reach higher and higher states of awareness. When we are fully aware, we become God – In the center, one’s true nature shines forth.
- This verse asks us to leave aside two thoughts when both these thoughts arise together. This happens rarely. We do not normally have two thoughts arising simultaneously. Usually, it is a chain of thoughts. One thought follows another. From a practical point of view, the next verse is more relevant.