Dharana 108 of 112 · verse 133

What Is Real About an Illusion

The universe is a magic show, and the self is unchanging. Hold both and abide.

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8 minutes. Seated, eyes closed.

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Before you try this

If holding the world as unreal leaves you feeling detached from your life rather than lighter in it, stop, and use one of the warmer contemplations — dharana 98 or 104 — instead.

The practice

Hold that what appears is a display with nothing solid behind it, and ask yourself plainly: what is real about an illusion? Then hold the other half — that what is aware of the display does not change, does not act, and does not depend on anything appearing. Rest where the two meet.

What it works on

Two verses of the text that make one meditation. Taking either alone gives a lopsided result: the first without the second is nihilism, the second without the first is complacency. The peace the verse names is in holding them together.

Notes

  • Read both halves before beginning and hold them in that order.

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.