Meditation ยท Chidakasha Dharana
Inner-Space Gazing
Chidakasha Dharana turns attention to the "space of consciousness" โ the dark inner screen you see behind closed eyes at the brow. You simply watch this inner space and whatever colours, lights, or images drift across it, without grasping. It is taught in tantric traditions and systematised in the Bihar School of Yoga.
This guide was drafted with the help of AI and reviewed by us. It is for general education only and is not medical, psychological or professional advice. It may contain errors. Practise gently, and seek a qualified teacher or professional for anything specific. Spotted an error? Tell us in the comments below.
About this practice
Name: "Chit" (consciousness) + "akasha" (space) + "dharana" (centring) โ resting attention in the inner space of consciousness at the brow.
Type: Concentration / witnessing of inner visual space.
Source: Tantric practice; systematised in the Bihar School of Yoga (Satyananda tradition). Honestly: the modern step-by-step form is chiefly from the Bihar School rather than a single ancient verse.
Who, when & how often
- โBeginners and intermediate practitioners who relax the eyes easily.
- โThose preparing for visualization or Yoga Nidra.
- !Relative: anyone prone to distressing visual imagery or with certain eye conditions โ keep it brief or choose another practice.
Best time: Evening or before Yoga Nidra; any calm moment with the eyes rested.
Frequency: Daily or several times a week, 10โ15 minutes.
How to practise โ step by step
- 1Sit comfortably, spine tall; close the eyes.
- 2Take a few settling breaths and relax the face and forehead.
- 3Bring gentle attention to the dark space you can "see" behind the closed eyes, around the eyebrow-centre.
- 4Simply watch this inner space โ the darkness, any faint colours, points of light, or fleeting images.
- 5Do not chase or interpret what appears; let it come and go.
- 6Rest as the calm witness of the inner screen.
Benefits
- โDevelops steady, witnessing attention.
- โA calming, inward-turning focus.
- โOften used as preparation for visualization and Yoga Nidra.
๐ช Tradition & origins
- "Chidakasha" means the space (akasha) of consciousness (chit) โ the inner space experienced at the eyebrow-centre.
- Awareness of this inner space appears in tantric practice and is taught explicitly in the Bihar School of Yoga (e.g., within Yoga Nidra and antar mouna).
Tips to go deeper
- ๐กKeep the forehead and eyes completely relaxed.
- ๐กTreat whatever appears as passing weather โ neither suppress nor pursue it.
- ๐กIf nothing appears but darkness, that is perfectly fine โ rest in it.
Common mistakes
- โStraining the eyes upward toward the brow.
- โGetting caught up in interpreting lights or images.
What you may experience
- ๐Normal: darkness, drifting colours, faint points of light, occasional images.
- ๐Warning: eye strain (relax the eyes) or distressing imagery (open the eyes, return to the breath).
How to progress
Begin by simply resting in the dark space; over time watch its subtle movement with steadier, more effortless attention, and use it as a doorway into visualization or Nidra.
โ ๏ธ Cautions
- Relax the eyes โ never strain them. If vivid imagery becomes disturbing, open the eyes and return to the breath. Those prone to distressing visual experiences should keep sessions short or choose a different practice.
Evidence at a glance
A calm, inward visual focus can support relaxation and concentration.
Consistent with focused-attention practice; little research on this specific method.
The inner space is a literal spiritual gateway.
A traditional interpretation, outside scientific scope.
Myths vs. reality
โ Myth: Seeing lights at the brow means your "third eye" is opening.
โ Reality: Faint lights behind closed eyes are ordinary visual phenomena. Any deeper meaning is a traditional interpretation, not an established fact.
Frequently asked questions
What if I only see darkness?
That is completely normal and fine. Simply rest your attention in the dark inner space; nothing needs to appear.
Are the lights I see meaningful?
Faint lights and colours behind closed eyes are common and ordinary. Watch them as passing phenomena rather than signs to interpret.
Key takeaways
- โญWatch the dark inner space behind closed eyes, plus any colours or lights.
- โญRelax the eyes and forehead completely โ never strain.
- โญA tantric practice systematised by the Bihar School of Yoga.
- โญWhatever appears (or does not) is fine โ just witness it.
Sources & further reading
- ๐Meditation: What You Need To Know โ NCCIH โ health authority (public domain)
- ๐Yoga Nidra โ Wikipedia (Bihar School context) โ encyclopedia
๐ Your private notes
Saved only on this device โ jot down what helped.
๐ฌ Improvements, corrections & suggestions
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