Meditation on the Movement of the Breath A Dharana from the Vijnanabhairava
Vijñānabhairava 24; English rendering by Swami Shantananda ©2017 SYDA Foundation®.
Click here to read the introduction
I’ve just learned a valuable lesson in repetition. I practiced all three dharanas yesterday, and my mind was restless and the Sanskrit was challenging to pronounce. When I practiced the dharanas again today, my mind was settled, the Sanskrit felt more natural, and I watched as my breath flowed in and out along a thin filament of silver; it was a delight-filled experience.
Hokianga, New Zealand
I am grateful for Swami Shantananda’s precise description of the movement of the breath. This morning I was feeling anxious and my breath was tight. Just by reading these instructions, I immediately felt calmer. Then, after spending a few moments with this beautiful dharana on the movement of the breath, I exclaimed, "Wow! Thank God!” I felt instant relief.
I really appreciated Swami ji’s detailed description of the “arc” of the breath, its path, and how to focus on it. I remember once watching Gurumayi meditate in the Bade Baba Temple at Shree Muktananda Ashram. It seemed as if her whole body was suspended in ethereal stillness. Every time I remember and do any of Gurumayi’s dharanas on the breath, I immediately feel a profound change inside.
As an opera singer and voice coach, implementing good breathing practices is essential for my work. Gurumayi’s teachings on how to attend to the breath are enlightening, enchanting, and invaluable for me.
I really appreciated Swami ji’s detailed description of the “arc” of the breath, its path, and how to focus on it. I remember once watching Gurumayi meditate in the Bade Baba Temple at Shree Muktananda Ashram. It seemed as if her whole body was suspended in ethereal stillness. Every time I remember and do any of Gurumayi’s dharanas on the breath, I immediately feel a profound change inside.
As an opera singer and voice coach, implementing good breathing practices is essential for my work. Gurumayi’s teachings on how to attend to the breath are enlightening, enchanting, and invaluable for me.
Ohio, United States
I was so attracted to the picture that accompanied this dharana. As I closed my eyes to meditate, I imagined that I could step through the doorway into that beautiful blue space.
I immediately felt a soft, peaceful stillness envelop me. My breath slowed and fell into a deep, natural rhythm. My heart was warm and soft and full of peace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your presence in my life.
I immediately felt a soft, peaceful stillness envelop me. My breath slowed and fell into a deep, natural rhythm. My heart was warm and soft and full of peace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your presence in my life.
Massachusetts, United States
After reading the Introduction and the dharana, I had a beautiful experience. As I was focusing my awareness on my out-breath and in-breath, my breathing slowed down and became more even and stable. I could feel the prana rising from my subtle heart and subsiding there.
As my breathing slowed down, the pause between my out-breath and in-breath lengthened. When I came out of this state, I was peaceful, joyful, and relaxed. My worries had disappeared.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this guidance on how to practice meditating on the movement of my breath.
As my breathing slowed down, the pause between my out-breath and in-breath lengthened. When I came out of this state, I was peaceful, joyful, and relaxed. My worries had disappeared.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this guidance on how to practice meditating on the movement of my breath.
Lucknow, India
What an amazing experience it was, meditating with this dharana! Like a river, I flowed into a dark space where there was only a deep silence. Suddenly, all my worries and fears vanished. I didn´t care any more about the funny tricks that the outer world offers every day. I just got lost between the spaces of the incoming and the outgoing breath.
Now, for the first time in so many years of meditating, I know the meaning of peace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for being in my life. My heart is your temple.
Now, for the first time in so many years of meditating, I know the meaning of peace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for being in my life. My heart is your temple.
Yautepec, Mexico