Vigyan Bhairava Tantra: 112 Meditations for Self Realization

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The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra is one of yoga's most important texts. It is an ancient text on yoga and meditation revealed by God centuries ago.

It was written to show mankind how to reach a state of enlightenment.

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra contains a great deal of practical wisdom. It shows people how to overcome suffering, and find peace and joy in their lives.

Although written centuries ago, the message of The Vigyan Bhairva Tantra is eternal. It was meant for all times.

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra is one of the most important spiritual texts of the world. It is a text that shows you how to reach God. It has been written solely for that purpose. There is no other text like it. It is meant for all those who are dissatisfied with their lives and wish to experience the joy of union with God. It will make your life joyful again, irrespective of your religion, caste, gender, position in society, or financial condition.

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra contains 112 meditation techniques for self realization. These are meditations given by God. They are meant for all. There are 112 techniques to cover all types of people, through all time. Some of these techniques are for people who lived in the past, and some are for those who will live in the future. These 112 meditations cover people of all kinds, keeping in mind their differing natures and temperament. You will find at least one technique here that is ideally suited for you. That technique will take you very quickly to God.

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra is sometimes simply known as Vigyan Bhairava. Vigyan (pronounced Vig-yaan) means knowledge or understanding. In the context of this text, it is sometimes translated as consciousness. Bhairava means God. Vigyan Bhairava means either knowledge of God or God consciousness. Both meanings are applicable here. It is a text that teaches us how to know and understand God fully. We can only know God fully when we reach God, or become one with God. Vigyan Bhairava gives 112 techniques through which one can unite with God.

The text is a dialogue between Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati - between God and the Goddess. The Goddess is, in reality, not separate from God. She has taken on the form of being separate here, to help mankind. She asks God those questions that we, as individuals seeking enlightenment, would ask.

In the text, Lord Shiva gives 112 meditation techniques for enlightenment. Most meditation techniques practiced today are derived, in one form or another, from one of the meditations given in the Vigyan Bhairava Tantra. This text was probably revealed to an unknown Kashmir master. Most of the meditations are beautifully simple. They do not require an abundance of intelligence to understand or to practice them. But do not let their simplicity fool you. They open a door to eternity. They are like truth - simple, yet capable of unlocking the mysteries of life.

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra belongs to a form of yoga and tantra called Kashmir Shaivism. Kashmir Shaivism is a philosophy of non-dualism or monism. Most religions are dualistic. There is the individual and there is God. The individual is separate from God, and at the end of his or her life, is judged by God. Therefore in religions, we (the individuals) are separate from God and also distinct from each other. In the philosophy of non-dualism, we are not separate from God, and we are not separate from each other. There is only One, there is only God. There is no Reality but God. The fact that we look separate from each other is an illusion. Our sense organs do not show us the complete picture. Deep down, we are all connected. For example, we look separate from trees. A human being GENRES the boundary of his body by his skin. Similarly, we know where a tree begins and where it ends. A human being looks separate from a tree. However, humans breathe in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. Trees do just the opposite. We are now beginning to understand that by destroying our forests, and our environment, we are in fact destroying ourselves. We cannot survive on our planet, if there are no trees. Yoga and tantra understood this centuries ago. They teach that all forms of life are deeply connected. We are all part of God. There is no Reality apart from God.

The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra contains a great deal of practical wisdom. Its message is meant to be applied in our day—to-day lives. It shows us directly how to bring peace and joy into our lives. Although it was written over 2000 years ago, its message is eternal. It was meant for all times.

The dialogue begins with the Goddess asking God about the true nature of God. The answer comes surprisingly quickly, in Verse 15 itself. Verse 15 explains to us that we can experience the joy of God within ourselves, when the mind is still and free of thoughts. In other words, we achieve liberation, when we still the mind. This text, and Kashmir Shaivism, state that union with God is not a meeting of two; it is a meeting of one. When the mind is stilled, our ego disappears and the state of God appears within us. Liberation is nothing but the awareness of our true nature.

This is also how we bring peace and joy into our lives - by controlling our minds. The more control we have ever our minds, the more peace and happiness we experience. The above answer may surprise many people, especially those who believe that our happiness is dependent on the external conditions of our lives, or on our material wealth. Many people believe that the wealthier we are, the fewer problems we will face, the more things we can do or buy, and the happier we will be. The text explains that this is not true. Nothing external can bring us lasting happiness. This is because everything external is subject to change. Lasting happiness will only be found within. This wisdom can be incredibly uplifting. It means that for our happiness, we are no longer dependent on external conditions or particular people.

The meditations given in the text begin slowly. The first few meditations are primarily sitting meditations, to be practiced seated, with eyes closed. Then suddenly, from Verse 43, the text shifts gears and moves to an entirely different level. It introduces us to the concept that our beliefs create our reality. By changing some of our beliefs, we can liberate ourselves. There are many meditations given in this text that follow the same principle. The principle that our beliefs create our reality has many wonderful practical applications. We can change the external circumstances of our lives, by changing some of the beliefs that caused them.

There are some meditations given in the text that change our perception of life. They change the way we perceive or look at things. This process awakens us to a higher reality and changes our behavior immediately. For example, Verses 100, 107 and 124 explain to us that the same God that is present in oneself, is present in everyone else too. This means that no one is special. It does not matter how wealthy, intelligent, accomplished or evolved we are. None of these things makes us superior or inferior to anyone else. When we understand this truth, we become more humble, and our behavior towards everyone else changes automatically.

There are many other beautiful meditations given in the text that have the ability of awakening us from our dream state, and propelling us to a higher reality.

After the meditations, the dialogue between God and the Goddess continues, and certain aspects of the philosophy of non-dualism are discussed. At the end of the book, one final meditation is given. This meditation is special. Even when all other meditations fail, this one always succeeds. It is easy to practice and works to everyone.

The question sometimes arises as to whether the Vigyan Bhairava Tantra is a text on tantra or yoga. Actually it is both. It is primarily a text on yoga. However, yoga was initially part of tantra. Therefore, it is also a text on tantra. Tantra also includes many other rituals and practices that have nothing to do with yoga. Today, people harbor the misconception that tantra is about sex. That is incorrect. Tantra is mainly about enlightenment.

There are only 3 meditations out of 112 given in this text that use sex as a means for enlightenment. I have relied mainly on the original Sanskrit text given in the Kashmir Series of Texts and Studies, for my translation. The original text is continuous, but here it has been divided into three parts. The first chapter deals with the initial questions and answers between God and the Goddess. The second chapter contains the 1 12 meditations given by God. The third chapter contains the final questions and answers between God and the Goddess.