Here is the sphere of change, change, change. through change consume change.
Verse 26, Vigyan Bhairava Tantra
In the vast expanse of existence, change is the only constant. This fundamental truth is elucidated in Meditation Technique No. 67 of the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra. The text delves deep into the nature of change, urging practitioners to embrace its impermanence and transcend its hold.
The first revelation is stark: everything, without exception, is subject to change. From the towering Himalayas to the subtlest atom, the universe is in a perpetual state of flux. Even that which appears immutable, like the steadfast mountains, is in reality, evolving. The essence of change permeates every facet of existence.
In contemplating this flux, one encounters the challenge of self-knowledge. The text posits that while everything else is subject to change, the knower—the essence of consciousness—remains immutable. However, this knower eludes direct apprehension; it can only be known through a process of negation. By eliminating all objects of knowledge, the practitioner transcends the realm of duality and experiences the pure energy of knowing, devoid of any object. This is not conventional knowledge but a profound realization of the self, transcending the limitations of language and concept.
The discourse expands to embrace the insights of Buddha, whose teachings emphasize the transitory nature of existence. Buddha’s renunciation of worldly attachments stemmed from a profound understanding of impermanence. By relinquishing that which is subject to change, he sought the eternal—the unchanging center amidst the wheel of life.
While Buddha advocated detachment from the transient, Tantra offers a complementary perspective: “THROUGH CHANGE CONSUME CHANGE.” Tantra invites practitioners to engage with change actively, rather than fleeing from it. By immersing oneself in the flux of existence, one transcends fear and attachment. This radical acceptance of change leads to a profound transformation, wherein change itself becomes the vehicle for transcendence.
In essence, the teachings of Vigyan Bhairav Tantra illuminate the paradox of change. While the world dances in perpetual motion, the essence of the self remains immutable. By embracing change without fear or attachment, one discovers the eternal amidst the transient—a timeless truth hidden within the ever-changing tapestry of existence.