Dharana 109 of 112 · verse 135

Neither Bondage Nor Freedom

Both being trapped and being liberated are images in the mind, like a reflected sun.

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8 minutes. Seated, eyes closed.

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The practice

Hold that there is neither bondage nor liberation for you — that both are ideas the mind produced, in the way the sun reflected in water is a real appearance of something that was never in the water. Let go of the fear of one and the hope of the other together.

What it works on

The text calls this the ultimate understanding and addresses it explicitly to those frightened by the two concepts. It removes the last remaining project, which is the project of getting free, and there is nothing after it in the sequence for that reason.

Notes

  • Notice how much of practice is quietly motivated by the hope this verse dissolves.

Practise gently

Shoonyaka offers educational and contemplative material, not medical, psychological or religious authority. Nothing here diagnoses or treats any condition. Stop any practice that leaves you dizzy, frightened or unwell, and treat a strong reaction as a reason to rest rather than to push on.