What is the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra?

Also Known as the “VBT”

Basics of the VBT

The So Ham Meditation Sequence from Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, also known as VBT, is a Shaiva Tantra belonging to the Kaula Trika tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. This treatise serves as a manual for self-realization, offering practitioners a comprehensive guide to unlocking inner peace and spiritual growth. It is believed that the VBT may have been authored by the female Guru Keyūravatī, adding a unique perspective to its teachings. This sacred text consists of 112 meditation and centering techniques, incorporating practices such as breathwork, concentration on various energy centers in the body, non-dual awareness, mantra recitation, visualizations, and sensory contemplations. Despite its ancient origins, the VBT remains relevant today, as it is one of the few tantras with a continuous study tradition that has persisted to the present day on the Indian subcontinent.

This meditation practice uses the transformative power of Prana and Shakti that shapes the physical world. Shakti represents the inner realm of our consciousness, embodying a potent force within us. Through this sequence, practitioners are guided to employ a core strategy to quiet the mind and breath, allowing Prana Shakti to emerge and unveil its true essence. By temporarily relinquishing movement, individuals can tap into the profound energy of Prana and Shakti, experiencing their inherent transformative abilities firsthand.

In the realm of yogic practice, the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (VBT) offers a unique perspective that diverges from the classical Yoga tradition, as exemplified in the Yoga-sūtra of Patañjali. While traditional texts advocate for detachment from sensory stimuli and internal focus, the VBT encourages active engagement with the external world while shifting one's awareness and perception. Originating in the vibrant landscape of early Tantra in Northern India, the VBT likely draws from diverse spiritual influences, including early roots in Buddhism. Keyūravatī, a Dhāraṇī Goddess mentioned in the Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa, a 6th-century Buddhist text, may have played a role in shaping the VBT's teachings. The Trika Kaula Lineage of Shaivism, known for embracing Tantric practices, may have integrated these teachings into their spiritual tradition, ultimately passing them down to us in their present form.

Very little is known about the mythical Goddess K or Goddess Keyūravatī. One myth is that she was a powerful female Guru in the Trika Kaula Lineage who wore an armband.

Keyūravatī is also Dhāraṇī Goddess mentioned in the Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa, a 6th-century text in Tibetan Buddhism that focuses on ritualistic elements and teachings of Mañjuśrī and Buddha Śākyamuni. Whether they are related is up for debate, but it is a strong possibility.

Historically, armbands, smeared ash, arm tattoos, or physical cuffs were often made of gold or silver and worn as protective talismans. They were symbols of power and status, with leaders using them for protection and displaying them to show authority. Today, cuffs are viewed as symbols of strength and individuality.

The Vijnana Bairavs Tantra (VBT) unfolds as a dialogue between Bhairava and Bhairavi, embodying distinct states of consciousness. Bhairavi symbolizes dynamic energy, whereas Bhairava embodies tranquility and stillness. Notably, the text reflects a significant Buddhist influence, evident in its emphasis on meditations centered on emptiness. These meditative practices explore the void nature of phenomena, including contemplations on the body and heart as empty spaces. Remarkably, the VBT stands out as the sole revealed Tantric scripture with an unbroken study tradition that has endured since around 700 AD, underscoring its enduring relevance and profound teachings.

Verse 27 of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra introduces a timeless meditation technique that cultivates serene and expansive awareness. This practice involves directing one's focus to the space within the heart after an inhalation, nurturing this silent expanse with mindful attention using the So Ham Mantra. By allowing this inner space to unfold and expand through the breath, practitioners can enter a state of surrender and heightened consciousness. Key elements of this practice include directing attention to the body's energy centers known as duadashaktas, maintaining a sense of stillness and presence, and harnessing the breath as a powerful tool to access this state of expanded awareness.

Enjoy this powerful and state of the art technique.

Kind Regards, Melissa Shubha Abbott

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