The Space Between Breaths: Tantra Meditation

In this foundational classical Tantric meditation, we rest in the space between breaths. We will find the subtle threshold where there is no effort and no movement, to reveal the true nature of stillness (Shiva) within us. Inside this pause, deep intimacy, devotion, and surrender can begin to unwind us, and we may discover the breath as a doorway into union with the Beloved.

This meditation is the first in a new series called Vijnana Bhairava: The Art of Inner Union. In this series, we take a more devotional, easeful, embodied approach to the 112 meditation methods of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra.

Transcript

Welcome to this practice. Welcome to. . . Shiva and Shakti's Playground Make yourself comfortable in your seat. Straightening your spine and deepening your breath as we drop into meditation. The intention with this series is to deliver the practices of the Vijnanabhairava Tantra, Shiva's 112 methods of self-realization. Through Parvati's eyes. The Vijnanabhairava tantra is a song sung by Bhairava for his beloved Bhairavi. So we must assume the form of shakti. We must allow our feminine essence, Our sensuality, Our presence. Our artistry, Our beauty. To permeate this practice of meditation. To restore the essence of. Devotion, Romance, And eros. That is at the heart of this beautiful conversation. And the invitation in that, Especially if we have worked with these methods before. Is to see if we can drop the idea that we have to get it exactly right. To release rigidity, To release even the idea that this is a method for us to get somewhere. And instead. . . Allow this very practice to be our destination. So how much can I really enjoy this, Taste this, Savor this? How much closer? How much more intimate can I get to this very moment right here? This very breath. And as you practice today. I invite you to let that inquiry linger in you. In the first method of the Vijnanabhairava Tantra. Bite of us is. All part of you. Take a breath in. Pause. There I am. Breathe out. Pause. There I am. This is the practice of bringing our awareness to the space between breaths. Very simple. Beautiful practice. So, As you settle in, Just beginning to Bring a curiosity as to where that space is for you. So breathing naturally. Noticing. With loving awareness. As you continue to breathe naturally. Let these inquiries guide you into deeper intimacy with this experience. There will be plenty of space to let them fully land in you. Can this inhale? Be the first inhale of a lover you've waited billions of years to meet? What would that inhale feel like? Can this next exhale be the offering you make to your beloved? What would that exhale feel like? Arriving at the pause in between. And meeting your beloved in the silence. Meet him. In the dark emptiness. Meet him in stillness. Letting that silent stillness touch your heart. And feel your awareness expanding with every pause. How little effort can we exert here in our noticing? Can I use a gentler touch? With my attention. Can I play with just a. . . Gentle caress of my beloved. What would it be like to take a breath? And feel that space that lives between the exertion of inhaling. And the exertion of exhaling. Can that be our moment to really rest in the lap of the beloved? Can we let the body relax 10% more? 15% more. And as the body relaxes, Can we witness the spontaneous arising of breath in and breath out? Like waves in the sea of stillness. Can this breath be even more luscious? Can we feel the pleasure of this breath in? And this breath out. And can we soften the heart? Around this moving breath. So that when it arrives into stillness, The beloved can really touch it. So that we can really feel. That this stillness is nothing but love itself. Can I describe what I love about that space between breaths without using any words or concepts at all? Breathing in. . . I am filled up. Pausing. I revel in the union. Breathing out, I offer myself into him. Pausing, I revel in the union. And as we slowly bring this practice to a close. Perhaps bringing some gentle rocking or swaying to the body. And slowly allowing light back into the eyes. And as you emerge from your practice, I invite you to really let the juice, The rasa, Of this practice sensuality, The romance, Whatever quality was cultivated here for you today. To permeate the rest of your day or evening. Bringing slowness, Presence, Intentionality, Intimacy. Into your movements. Is the true practice of tantra. Home.