Meditation ยท Shoonya / Shunya Dhyana
Void Meditation
Void meditation rests the attention in spacious emptiness โ letting the sense of a solid body, fixed thoughts, and busy content dissolve into open, contentless awareness. Meditations on "voidness" (shunya) are among the most characteristic practices of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra.
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: "Shunya" (also spelled shoonya) means void, emptiness, or open space. "Dhyana" means meditation.
Type: Open, objectless meditation (void/spaciousness contemplation).
Source: Vijnana Bhairava Tantra void (shunya) dharanas. Honestly: an advanced, subtle practice; the text is terse and traditionally learned with a teacher.
Who, when & how often
- โExperienced meditators comfortable with open-awareness practice.
- โThose seeking to loosen over-identification with thought.
- !Relative: history of dissociation, depersonalisation, panic, or trauma โ objectless/void practices can destabilise; prefer grounded, anchored techniques and work with a professional or teacher.
Best time: When the mind is already fairly settled โ often after some breath or open-awareness practice.
Frequency: A few times a week for experienced practitioners; keep sessions moderate.
How to practise โ step by step
- 1Sit comfortably and let the eyes close; settle with a few breaths.
- 2Let attention become soft and wide, rather than fixed on any one object.
- 3Imagine the body as light and space-like, without solid edges.
- 4When thoughts arise, let them pass like clouds, returning to open spaciousness.
- 5Rest in the sense of open, empty awareness โ aware, but without grasping content.
- 6Whenever you feel "caught" by something, gently soften back into the openness.
Benefits
- โLoosens over-identification with thoughts and the body.
- โCultivates a spacious, non-grasping quality of mind.
- โCan feel profoundly restful and freeing.
๐ช Tradition & origins
- The Vijnana Bhairava Tantra devotes several verses to meditations on shunya (voidness) โ for example contemplating the body or the space of the heart as empty (verses in the 43โ49 range in modern translations).
- Such void-contemplations aim at recognising a vast, open awareness (the "Bhairava" state) beneath all content.
Tips to go deeper
- ๐กThis is not "blanking out" โ awareness stays clear; only the grasping relaxes.
- ๐กA period of open-awareness practice is a good preparation.
- ๐กLet go of trying to "achieve" emptiness; softening is enough.
Common mistakes
- โConfusing spacious awareness with dullness or sleepiness.
- โStraining to force the mind empty.
What you may experience
- ๐Normal: a light, spacious, restful openness; thoughts feeling less sticky.
- ๐Warning: disorientation, unreality, or anxiety โ ground immediately (feel the body, open the eyes) and stop.
How to progress
Build stability with anchored practices and open awareness first; then let the anchor dissolve into spaciousness for short periods, lengthening only as it stays clear and stable.
โ ๏ธ Cautions
- Dissolving the sense of solidity can feel disorienting or unsettling for some, especially with a history of dissociation, depersonalisation, or trauma. If it feels destabilising, stop and return to a grounding practice (feel the feet, open the eyes). Best learned with a teacher.
Evidence at a glance
Open-monitoring/objectless meditation can reduce reactivity to thoughts.
Open-monitoring practices show some benefits; void-specific study is minimal.
Void meditation reveals ultimate reality.
A traditional metaphysical claim, not a scientific finding.
Myths vs. reality
โ Myth: Emptying the mind of all thought is the goal and sign of success.
โ Reality: The aim is spacious, non-grasping awareness, not a blank. Clarity remains; only the clinging relaxes.
Frequently asked questions
Is void meditation about feeling nothing?
No. Awareness remains bright and clear; what dissolves is the grasping at solid objects and thoughts. It is spaciousness, not numbness.
Is this the same as Buddhist emptiness?
They rhyme but differ. The VBTโs shunya points to an open, luminous awareness within Shaiva non-dualism; Buddhist emptiness (shunyata) is a distinct philosophical view.
Key takeaways
- โญRest in spacious, contentless awareness rather than any single object.
- โญIt is clear spaciousness, not blankness or dullness.
- โญA characteristic void (shunya) contemplation of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra.
- โญCan be destabilising โ ground yourself and seek guidance if it feels unsettling.
Sources & further reading
- ๐Vijรฑฤna Bhairava Tantra โ Wikipedia โ encyclopedia (text overview)
- ๐Meditation: What You Need To Know โ NCCIH โ health authority (public domain)
๐ Your private notes
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๐ฌ Improvements, corrections & suggestions
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