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Focusing
at the Spiritual Eye
by Bharat Cornell
Swami Kriyananda
wrote in the Art and Science of Raja Yoga, "The position of
the eyes suggests the general portion of the brain in which the
consciousness is centered. In particular, when the mind slips toward
subconsciousness and the energy becomes centered in the lower brain,
the eyes tend to look downward; when one is involved in the world,
or otherwise active on the conscious level, the energy becomes centered
more in the mid-brain, and the eyes tend more naturally to look
straight ahead; and when one enters a state of superconsciousness,
the eyes are drawn automatically to gaze upward."
Located at the
point between the eyebrows, the spiritual eye or Christ center,
is the seat of spiritual awakening. When all of our energy becomes
centered there, enlightenment occurs. This is why, in meditation,
it is extremely beneficial to have your eyes physically looking
at the spiritual eye-focusing there helps you attune to, and magnetically
draw, the highest states of consciousness. (You should remember,
however, that although the eyes are physically gazing at the spiritual
eye during your practice of Hong Sau, your concentration should
be on your breath.)
If you feel
tension when you look at the spiritual eye, try this advice from
Swami Kriyananda: "Raise your gaze upward-not crossing the
eyes, but focusing them on a point somewhat beyond the forehead
at about the distance of your thumb when you hold your arm extended
above you. (The height of your thumb should be level with the top
of your head.)
"The important
thing is that your attention, not your eyes, be focused on that
point in the forehead. Don't try forcibly to bring your eyes to
a focus, but gaze mentally at that point, and let the spiritual
eye draw you into itself."
Another technique
for staying relaxed as you focus at the spiritual eye, is to think
of your eyes as being situated only in the upper part of their sockets.
You might also try lowering your gaze until the strain disappears,
and then mentally look through and beyond the spiritual eye. A technique
to help you do this is to feel as though you are gazing at the spiritual
eye from the medulla oblongata, which is located at the base of
the brain.
If keeping your
eyes raised is new for you, don't spend all your time thinking about
the placement of your eyes. Lift them as you begin to meditate,
then concentrate on the rest of the technique. Every so often, as
you think to, raise your eyes again. When you notice your mind has
wandered, you will also find that your eyes are looking downward
(into subconsciousness). When this happens, raise your eyes again
and refocus your mind on the breath. In time, it will become easier
for you to keep your eyes focused upwards, because you will feel
a centering of energy in the forehead that will hold your eyes there
naturally.
In this issue,
you can learn more about the Christ center and what it looks like
by reading The Spiritual Eye, an excerpt from Swami Kriyananda's
book, Awaken to Superconsciousness. Also in this article, Kriyananda
explains in more detail the technique of looking at the spiritual
eye from the medulla oblongata.
Once you end
your practice of Hong Sau, you should spend some time enjoying the
fruits of your meditation. Otherwise, as Paramhansa Yogananda said,
it is like preparing a meal and not eating it. Focusing at the spiritual
eye is a wonderful practice to do after Hong Sau. If you see the
inner light, calmly, yet completely, offer yourself into it. If
you don't see the inner light, pray deeply, "Reveal Thyself…
Reveal Thyself." Even without seeing the inner light, you will
feel your consciousness uplifted to the spiritual eye. In his book,
The Path, Swami Kriyananda wrote, "Through concentration on
the spiritual eye, the consciousness gradually becomes attuned to
the subtle rate of vibration of… light. At last one's consciousness,
too, takes on the quality of light."
It is also extremely
beneficial to visualize the spiritual eye and feel that it is your
true reality. Paramhansa Yogananda said, "Just behind the darkness
of closed eyes shines the light of God." The following visualization,
the Spiritual Eye Meditation, can help you subtly experience what
it is like to pass through the divine portal of the Christ center.
I have found this meditation to be quite remarkable, and encourage
you to use it whenever you feel a deep sense of stillness after
your Hong Sau practice.
—Learn More: More on Focusing at
the Spiritual Eye
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