The Sri Yantra is used as a popular form of visual meditation rooted in India's Vedic and yogic traditions.
Sri is wealth or abundance and Yantra means instrument or vehicle in Sanskrit.
Yantras are geometrical designs that are used as aids in meditation.
The Sri Yantra is considered the mother of all Yantras for it has been referred to as a symbol of our entire cosmos.
It is said to be the visual representation of the vibration Aum which includes vibrational tones of the planet.
Focusing on it is believed to stimulate the pineal gland and aid in manifestation and focus.
To perform a Sri Yantra meditation,
Sit down comfortably at a table or desk.
Gaze at the image of the Yantra 1-2 feet away from your screen.
Allow your eyes to focus on the dot in the centre called the Bindu.
This represents the unity that underlies all diversity of the physical world.
Now allow your eyes to see the triangle that encloses the Bindu.
The downward pointing triangle represents feminine creative power,
The womb of all creation.
While the upward facing triangle represents masculine energy,
Movement and transformation.
Altogether there are 9 interlocking triangles that are interlaced in such a way as to form 43 smaller triangles representative of the entire cosmos,
A symbol of creation.
Allow your vision to expand to include the circles outside of the triangles.
They represent the cycles of cosmic rhythms.
The image of the circle embodies the notion that time has no beginning and no end.
Bring your awareness to the lotus petals outside the circle.
Notice that they are pointing outward as if opening.
They illustrate the unfolding of our understanding.
The lotus also represents the heart,
The seat of the self.
When the heart opens,
Understanding follows.
View the square enclosing the Yantra which represents the world of form,
The material world that our senses show us,
The illusion of separateness,
Well defined edges and boundaries.
On each side there are 4 T-shaped portals or gateways.
Notice that they point toward the interior of the Yantra,
The inner spaces of life.
They represent our earthly passage from the external and material to the internal and sacred.
Now take a moment to gaze into the Yantra and as if in slow motion let the different shapes and patterns emerge naturally,
Allowing your eyes to be held loosely in focus.
Gaze at the center of the Yantra.
You are gazing at perfection,
Mathematical proportions known as the golden ratio,
Pure balance and equilibrium.
Without moving your eyes,
Gradually and very slowly begin to expand your field of vision,
Lingering over each layer as you widen your periphery.
Continue to slowly expand your vision until you are taking in information from greater than 180 degrees.
Now slowly reverse the process by gently drawing your attention back in.
Slowly move from taking in everything around you and begin to narrow your gaze.
Move your awareness slowly back to the Yantra's 4 gates and stay there for a few moments.
Then ever so gently move deeper into the Yantra.
Drift your soft gaze slowly back through each circular channel of lotus petals,
Triangles and ultimately back to the Bindu.
Continue gazing at the Bindu.
Now slowly move your attention back to the Yantra.
Now slowly move your attention back to the Bindu.
Now slowly move your attention back to the Bindu.
Now take a deep breath in and as you exhale gently close your eyes.
You may notice the Yantra unfold in your mind's eye.
Take a moment to sit with it.
The patterns of creativity represented by these primordial shapes express the fundamental forces of nature that flow existence through you.
Continue to just sit and slowly let the subtle nature of what you experienced ripple through you.
Notice how you feel.
Notice the volume and the activity levels of the world around you and then become aware of the world within you.
Just witness yourself through this whole process.
Take a long slow deep breath in and release.
Once again take a long slow deep breath in and gently let that go.
Seal this meditation by chanting the universal vibration Om.
The ancient vibration that heralds our oneness,
Our union and our connectedness with everything in existence.
Together let's take a long slow deep breath in.
Om.
And once you feel comfortable you can slowly open your eyes and become aware of your surroundings once again.
