Dharana 63 of 112 · verse 76

Where Light Becomes Colour

Rest the gaze where light breaks into colours.

00:00Ready

8 minutes. Seated, eyes open.

Beginner8 min

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Before you try this

Never look at the sun, and do not gaze directly into a bright lamp. Look at what the light falls on.

The practice

Find a place where light separates into colour — a prism, a cut-glass edge, oil on water, a rainbow, the fringe at the edge of a bright lamp. Let the gaze rest there without analysing the effect. Stay until the looking is quiet.

What it works on

Colour appearing out of plain light is an ordinary optical fact and a very old contemplative image: one thing showing itself as many without ever becoming many. The practice is to sit with that rather than to think about it.

Notes

  • A glass of water on a sunny windowsill will make this at almost any time of day.

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.