Exercise #1

Meditation on the Smallest: This exercise gives a feeling of what it is like to have the
awareness focus on a very small space as compared to a larger. The smallest point used in this
exercise is not the Bindu itself, but is a small point, the size of a mustard seed. Cultivating the
skill of focusing in this way is quite useful in being able to do the concentration that eventually
reveals the actual Bindu. In the exercise, attention is brought to the first of those nine
Meditations from Yoga Sutras 1.33-1.39described above. Then attention is brought to a
mustard-seed-size point in the space of the heart center. One after the other, attention is
brought to each of those nine practices from Yoga Sutras 1.33-1.39 and that mustard-seed-size
point.
The lengthy descriptions might make these exercises sound difficult or complex. They are not.
They are really quite simple and straightforward; it just takes understanding what to do, and
this comes by reading and experimenting. Then, the insights come.
First: Sit comfortably, with your head, neck and trunk aligned, with your eyes closed, as if
prepared for your regular Meditation.
Friendliness and love: Think of some person you know who is very friendly and loving. Allow
your own feelings of friendliness and lovetowards this person to be there in the field of mind.
Allow your love for this one person to expand to a feeling of universal love itself. Do this for a
minute
or
so.
Mustard seed: Then shift your attention to the space of the emotional heart, the space
between the breasts, letting go of the Meditation above. Allow your attention to be on a very
small point, which is the size of a mustard seed. You may or may not see this with your inner
eye. As the memory of the person fades, concentration intensifies on this point. Allow the
sound of OM to silently drift through the inner mind, with the silence (symbolized by the Bindu)
after the A, U, and M, merging into the point.
Compassion: Gently let go of the point and allow attention to expand, remembering some
person who is not feeling well, such as one who is physically ill. Hold that person in your mind,
and intentionally allow feelings of compassion to arise. Meditate on that feeling
of compassion itself, expanding beyond the one person. Do this for a minute, or as long as it
takes
to
get
absorbed
in
the
experience.
Mustard seed: Gently let go of that feeling and return to the mustard-seed-size space in the
heart center. Meditate on that pointfor a while, in the silence after the OM.
Beneficence and gladness: Again expand attention, but now to a person who is virtuous or
benevolent. Cultivate and meditate on your own feelings of beneficence and gladness for that
person. Meditate on that feeling or attitude in an expansive, universal way.
Mustard seed: Again return gently to the heart, noticing how it feels to concentrate on
that point once again, allowing the silence after OM to merge into the point.
Acceptance or neutrality: Similarly imagine a person you think of as bad or evil, and
meditate on your own feelings of acceptance or neutrality (accepting the reality, not approving
of the behavior). Allow this to expand to a broader spirit of acceptance, meditating on this
attitude.
Mustard seed: Return to the point at the heart, with OM merging into silence.
Breath: Be aware of the feel of the flow of breath in the nostrils, and how that breath expands
and contracts. Especially allow the exhalation to be a little slower than usual. Do this for a
minute
or
so.
Mustard seed: Return to the point at the heart, allowing OM to go to silence.
Sensing: Meditate on the process of sensation, collectively on the ability itself to see with the
inner eye, to hear within, to smell, to taste, and to touch. It does not matter whether you
actually, literally experience these. It is the effort that is important to the exercise.
Mustard seed: Gently bring attention once again to the point at the heart.
Luminosity: Imagine a luminosity in the inner realm, whether in the mind field, the space of
the heart, or pervasively in that inner field. Whether or not you literally see is not so
important. Allow this luminosity to expand to the whole of the universe, to whatever limit your

mind
is
able
to
hold
that.
Mustard seed: Return to the point at the heart, noticing the feel of shift to concentration on
the mustard-seed-size point at the heart.
Steady mind: Return to the field of mind and imagine that your mind is a very stable, steady
mind, like the mind of some great Meditation master you may know of. Imagine that your mind
is
like
his
or
her
mind
in
its steadiness.
Mustard seed: Return to the point at the heart.
Stream of the mind: Again be aware of the field of mind, as if you were a completely nonattached witness to whatever objects come before the mind. Like watching a flowing stream,
all
thoughts
are
allowed
to
come
and
go.
Mustard seed: Once again, return to the point at the heart.
Meditation on a point: If it feels comfortable, and if you want, continue to meditate on this
mustard-seed-size point in the inner chamber of the heart, as if that Meditation would lead
you throughthe point, on to the actual Bindu, and then to the highest Truth.
This exercise is meant as that, an exercise. This sequence, in its entirety is not meant here to
be a permanent Meditation. You may find that one of the Meditations feels particularly
resonant for you, and that may be a core Meditation for you for some time, but that is your
personal choice. Again, this exercise is suggested here so that you can get a better feel of
what it is like to meditate on the smallest, as described in Yoga Sutra 1.40. This, in turn, gives
some insight into the nature of Meditation on Bindu, although the actual Bindu is much deeper
and comes when Meditation advances.
Exercise #2
Meditation on Evolutes of Matter and Bindu: In this exercise the attention
is alternated between the evolutes of matter (from Sankhya Yoga) and the mustard-seed-size
space in the cave of the spiritual heart (or the space between the eyebrows if you prefer). This
helps to give direct experience into the nature of Meditation on a point. While this point is not
the Bindu itself, which is much subtler, it does give a feel for the process. Also, each of the
evolutes on which you concentrate here can be a Meditation unto itself, though this is not what
is being suggested here. As you go through this exercise, a key is to allow attention to
become absorbed before moving on. This should not take long with a little practice.
The lengthy descriptions might make these exercises sound difficult or complex. They are not.
They are really quite simple and straightforward; it just takes understanding what to do, and
this comes by reading and experimenting. Then, the insights come.
First: Sit comfortably, with your head, neck and trunk aligned, with your eyes closed, as if
prepared for your regular Meditation.
Five Elements:
Earth: Be aware of the whole of your body, experiencing its solidity as earth. Do this until your
attention
becomes absorbed in
this
experience.
Mustard seed: Gently let go of this, and shift your attention to a mustard-seed-size point in the
space at the cave of the spiritual heart (or inside a tiny circle at the eyebrow center).
Become absorbed in this point.
Water: Then, gently let go of that point and be aware of the flow or fluidity within the body,
which
is water,
becoming absorbed in
this.
Mustard seed: Again, gently become absorbed in the mustard-seed-size point at the cave of
the heart (or the circle at the eyebrow center).
Fire: Similarly,
be
aware
of fire in
Mustard seed: Then return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Air: Be
aware
of air in
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Space: Be
aware
of space that
the
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.

the
the
body

body.
body.
occupies.

Karmendriyas -- Means of Expression (See

Indriyas):

Elimination: Shift attention to the nature of elimination throughout the whole of the body and
mind,
and
how
that
which
is
no
longer
needed
is
cast
off.
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Procreation: Be aware of the nature of procreation and how that manifests throughout the
whole
of
the
body.
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Motion: Be aware of the many ways that motion manifests through the vehicles of body and
mind.
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Holding: Be aware of the many ways in which grasping or holdingmanifests through the
vehicles
of
body
and
mind.
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Speaking: Be aware of speech and the intent of communication as it manifests through body
and
mind.
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.
Jnanendriyas -- Means of Cognition (See

Indriyas):

Smelling: Become
absorbed
in
the
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.

sense

of smelling.

Tasting: Be
aware
of
the
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.

sense

of tasting.

Seeing: Be
aware
of
the
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.

sense

of seeing.

Touching: Be
aware
of
the
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.

sense

of touching.

Hearing: Be
aware
of
the
Mustard seed: Return to the point, becoming absorbed in it.

sense

of hearing.

Four Functions of Mind (See

Four Functions of Mind):

Chitta: Shift awareness to the field of mind (chitta), allowing all of the thoughts to flow
without interruption, not engaging them, but witnessing them as a stream.
Mustard seed: When well established in this, return to absorption in the point.
Manas: Shift awareness to the mind itself (manas), as the instrument that is operating the
senses and the means of expression such as moving and grasping. Be aware of mind as an
instrument,
not
just
the
thoughts
flowing
in
the
mind.
Mustard seed: After becoming absorbed in this awareness, then gently return to absorption in
the point.
Ahamkara: Be aware of that strong wave of I-am-ness known as ego (ahamkara), not as
egotistical, but as the one who declares, "I am!" Become fully aware of, and absorbed in this;
meditate on this I-am-ness, independent of any of the false identities of who you think you
are,
but
rather,
only
the I-am-ness.
Mustard seed: Then, let go of it and return to absorption in the point.
Buddhi: Shift awareness, as best you can, to that deep aspect of mind that is individuation
itself, the witnessing aspect that knows(buddhi), in the higher sense of what knowing means,
which is neither cluttered with false identities nor that strong wave of I-am-ness. It just is,
and knows.
Mustard seed: Finally, shift awareness again back to that mustard-seed-size point, becoming
completely absorbed in it.
Meditation on a point: If it feels comfortable, and if you want, continue to meditate on this
mustard-seed-size point in the inner chamber of the heart (or inside a tiny circle at the
eyebrow center), as if that Meditation would lead you to that which is beyond all of this

manifestation, as if it would lead you through this imagined point, on to the actual Bindu,
which is the doorway to the Truth beyond.
As with the previous exercise, #1, this exercise is meant only as an exercise, not as a
permanent Meditation. Meditation on these evolutes, however, can be quite useful in
discriminating between what is "I" versus "not I," which is a most important part of later
Meditation (See Yoga Sutra 2.5 on avidya). Hopefully, this exercise will provide an easy way to
experience Meditation on a point, which can help lead to an understanding of Bindu and a
greater mental openness to approaching that subtle most point.

Exercise #3
Contemplative Journey through the Three Levels: This exercise involves three parts. The
first part is done with your eyes open, and includes being aware of your external world of
objects, and your abilities of action and sensing. The second part is done with your
eyes closed, and includes being aware of your inner world of memories and images, as well as
your inner process of sensing. The third part is also done with your eyes closed, and involves
being aware of the blank field on which the unconscious activity flows, like being aware of the
blank canvas on which paintings are created, or the blank screen on which movies are
projected. This three part process gives an inner simulation of the nature of the three stages of
the OM Mantra that are described above. This three part process is then repeated two more
times, for a total of three cycles of the three part process.
The lengthy descriptions might make these exercises sound difficult or complex. They are not.
They are really quite simple and straightforward; it just takes understanding what to do, and
this comes by reading and experimenting. Then, the insights come.
A of AUM: Be aware of each of these as aspects of Vaishvanara, the Gross world, your Waking
state, and your Conscious mind:
Eyes OPEN: Sit comfortably with your eyes open.
External objects and people: Be aware of objects or people in the room, around your home,
at work, in the city. Explore them all as being in the Gross world, part of your Waking state,
and your Conscious mind.
Outer means of expression: Be aware of the processes of elimination, procreation, moving,
grasping and speaking (the karmendriyas of verses 3 and 4), also exploring these as being in
the Gross world, part of your Waking state, and your Conscious mind. Explore these five
systematically, one at a time, becoming absorbed in the experience before moving on to the
next one.
Outer means of cognition: Be aware of the processes of smelling, tasting, seeing, touching
and hearing (the jnanendriyas of verses 3 and 4), also exploring these as being in the Gross
world, part of your Waking state, and your Conscious mind.
Outer five elements: Be aware of the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space (the
five elements of verses 3 and 4), also exploring these as being in the Gross world, part of your
Waking state, and your Conscious mind.
U of AUM: Be aware of these as aspects of Taijasa, the Subtle world, part of your Dreaming
state, and your Active Unconscious mind:
Eyes CLOSED: Now sit with your eyes closed. (Note that the process below is the same as
the one above, only here, you are attempting to gain insight into the nature of the Subtle,
Dreaming and Active Unconscious, whereas the section above dealt with the Gross, Waking,
and the Conscious mind.)
Inner stream of thoughts and dreams: Be aware of streams of thoughts in the mind,
allowing them to flow as you might in a dream, or a day dream. Be mindful of these all as if
being in the Subtle world, part of your Dreaming state, and your Active Unconscious mind.

(Note that this is an experiential exercise, even though you are not actually in the Dreaming
state.)
Inner objects and people: Be aware of many objects, people and places, intentionally
allowing the stream of these to continue to flow. Explore these all as being in the Subtle world,
part of your Dreaming state, and your Active Unconscious mind. (Note that this is an
experiential exercise, and you are not actually in the Dreaming state.)
Inner means of expression: Be aware of the inner processes of elimination, procreation,
moving, grasping and speaking, also exploring these as being in the Subtle world, part of your
Dreaming state, and your Active Unconscious mind. Explore these five systematically, one at a
time, becoming absorbed in the experience before moving on to the next one.
Inner means of cognition: Be aware of the inner processes of smelling, tasting, seeing,
touching and hearing, also exploring these as being in the Subtle world, part of your Dreaming
state, and your Active Unconscious mind.
Inner five elements: Be aware of the inner experience of the five elements of earth, water,
fire, air and space (the five elements of verses 3 and 4), also exploring these as being in the
Subtle world, part of your Dreaming state, and your Active Unconscious mind.
M of AUM: Be aware of these as aspects of Prajna, the Causal plane, part of your Deep Sleep
state, and your Latent Unconscious or Subconscious mind:
Next: Continue to sit with your eyes closed.
Blank canvas: Be aware of an inner field of mind that is like a blank canvas, on which all of
the many paintings of actions and sensation are drawn. Be aware of this field as the screen on
which the movies are projected. Allow your attention to become fully absorbed in the nature of
this field, which is sometimes called kutastha, which means anvil, as in the unchanging anvil
on which the blacksmith fashions so many objects.
Rising and falling impressions on the canvas: While maintaining full awareness of this
field, canvas, screen, or kutastha, allow random images, memories or impressions to
intentionally rise, and then to intentionally fall back into the field from which they arose.
Receding of people and objects: In this way, be aware of individual people, places, objects,
activities or ideas, allowing them to arise and fall, while being ever mindful of the field, canvas,
screen, or kutastha.
Receding of means of expression: Allow each of the active expressions of eliminating,
procreating, moving, grasping, and speaking to arise in this way, yet fall away, returning to the
field, continuing to focus on the field itself.
Receding of cognitive senses: Similarly, allow each of the cognitive senses of smelling,
tasting, seeing, touching and hearing to rise and fall, remaining aware of the field throughout.
Rising and falling of the five elements: So too, allow awareness of the five elements of
earth, water, fire, air and space to rise and fall from, and return into the field, canvas, screen,
or kutastha, once again remaining constantly aware of the field itself.
Silence after AUM: Be aware of Silence, as if you are experiencing the permeating
Consciousness, Turiya:
Aware of the permeating consciousness: Allow your intelligence to be aware of the fact
that consciousness, the Fourth, Turiya, is permeating each of these states of Waking, Dreaming
and Deep Sleep. Reflect on this in stillness and silence.
Permeating actions, sensations and thoughts: Be mindful of how that consciousness
permeates all of the actions, sensations and thought processes of the states of Conscious,
Active Unconscious, and Latent Conscious (or Subconscious).
Permeating the five elements: Be aware of how that consciousness permeates all of the five
elements as they exist or express in the Gross, Subtle, and Causal planes.
Aware of the glimpse: Be aware of how it is, that these are so, even though this is but an
exercise, and experiment, not the direct experience itself of Turiya. Be aware of how even a
little glimpse can be the inspiration to seek that direct experience.

Repeating the process:

Three times: The process above moves through the three stages, to the fourth. Repeat this
entire cycle two more times, for a total of three times.
It becomes easier: Each cycle will become easier than the previous. As with many practices,
the insights and benefits come with repetition.
Meditation on a point: If it feels comfortable, and if you want, continue to meditate on this
mustard-seed-size point in the inner chamber of the heart (or inside a tiny circle at the
eyebrow center), as if that Meditation would lead you through the point, on to the
actual Bindu, and then to the highest Truth.
This exercise, like the previous ones, is meant only an exercise, not as a permanent
Meditation. However, you might want to practice this several times over a handful of weeks to
gain further insight (or later, from time to time). In time, this kind of witnessing and
introspection, or inspection within, becomes a very easy self-awareness habit. It becomes a
natural process to do. This opens the door to the depths of Contemplation or Contemplative
Meditation, and this is part of the process leading to the Bindu, and That beyond these
experiences.

Exercise #4
Contemplation on "I am" and the Bindu: This Contemplation deals with the question, "Who
am I?" Attention is brought to one aspect of body, followed by an inquiry of whether this is
"who I am," and then attention is brought to that mustard-seed-size point in the space of the
heart center. One after the other, attention is brought through the various aspects of body,
breath, senses, and mind. With each, there is reflection on "who I am," whether this is "I,"
with attention brought to that point of Bindu with the remembrance that what is true is that, "I
am That," or "I am that I am."
The lengthy descriptions might make these exercises sound difficult or complex. They are not.
They are really quite simple and straightforward; it just takes understanding what to do, and
this comes by reading and experimenting. Then, the insights come.
First: Sit comfortably, with your head, neck and trunk aligned, with your eyes closed, as if
prepared for your regular Meditation.
Am I my Body?
Whole Body: Be aware of your body, the whole of the body, as if you can be aware of all of
the
parts
of
the
body
in
one,
complete
glance.
Question internally: "Is this who I am? Is this body really me, at the deepest level of my
being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond the body: to,
into, and through this point, this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is
beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am. I am That."
Arms/Trunk/Legs: Systematically be aware of the physical parts of the body, in whatever
way is comfortable and natural to you. One at a time, be aware of: head, face, neck, arms,
hands,
fingers,
trunk,
abdomen,
legs,
feet,
and
toes.
Question internally: "Is this who I am? Is this part really me, at the deepest level of my being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond this single aspect
of this body, this part. Who I am is to, into, and through this point, this mustard seed
called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am That. I am
that I am that I am."
Systems/Organs: Be aware of the physical systems and inner organs of the body, however
you may do that. One at a time, be aware of the muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, lymphatic, and nervous systems. Be aware of the individual inner organs,
whether
stomach,
eyes,
or
the
many
other
organs.
Question internally: "Is this who I am? Is this system or organ reallyme? Is it who I am? Who

am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond this single
physical system or organ, however beautiful and functional it, and the whole of the body may
be. Who I am is to, into, and through this point, this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is
that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am."
Am I my Breath?
Breath: Be aware of your breath, as the physical function that exhales and inhales, filling and
emptying
the
lungs
with
air.
Question internally: "Is this breath who I am? Is this breath really me, at the deepest level of
my
being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond even the breath.
I am on the other side of this point, this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is
beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am."
Spine: Be aware of your breath, as if flowing up the spine with inhalation and down the spine
with
exhalation.
Question internally: "Is this who I am? Is this body really me, at the deepest level of my
being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond the body: to,
into, and through this point, this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is
beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am."
Nostrils: Be aware of your breath at the nostrils, as the flow moves in and out; cool coming
in,
and
warm
going
out.
Question internally: "Is this who I am? Is this focused breath really me? Who am I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond the breath at
these nostrils: to, into, and through this point, this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is
that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am."
Energy: Be aware of breath as energy, which flows at both gross and subtle levels of the body,
in
many
ways
throughout
the
subtle
energy
system.
Question internally: "Is this who I am? Is this level of energy, though subtler, really me, at
the deepest level
of
my
being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Who I am is beyond even this subtle
flow of energy: to, into, and through this point, this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is
that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am."
Am I my Thoughts?
People: Allow the memories of people to drift through your mind. Think of family, friends,
coworkers and other people you've never met, but see around your community from time to
time. Remember people from your past, whom you no longer see, as well as people you
currently
know.
Question internally: "Of all these people, wonderful as they may be, who amongst them is
really
a
part
of
me,
at
the deepest level
of
my
being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Though I relate to them all, who I am
is beyond these relationships. I am of that beyond this point, this mustard seed called Bindu.
Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am that I am that I am."
Places: Think of the many places you visit in your daily life: communities, buildings, roads,
stores, lakes, mountains, beaches and other places of nature or mankind. Allow streams of
these
places
to
flow
through
the
mind.
Question internally: "Are these many places really related to me? Or are they locations that
I've visited, which now only appear to have something to do with me? Of all these places,
beautiful as they may be, are they really a part of me, at the deepest level of my being? Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. Though I am familiar with them all,
none of these places are really related to me. I am of that place on the other side of this point,
this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman.
I am That. I am that I am that I am."

Objects: Think of the many objects in your personal world; in your home, your place of work,
your community. Think of the things you handle daily, or see in your travels here or there.
They
are
small
things
and
large
things,
this
diversity
of
objects.
Question internally: "Which of the objects are mine? Are any of them really mine, or do I
just use them? What do these objects have to do with me, at the deepest level of my being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "I am That. I am that I am that I am. None of these objects are mine; none
are really related to me; that is all appearance, and nothing more. I am beyond all manner of
objects, truly dwelling only on the other side of this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is
that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am That. I am that I am that I am."
Am I my Mind?
Manas: Be aware of the thinking mind, which calculates, plans, and sorts out this or that; the
part of mind the brings in the sensory experiences, and which causes motion and expression.
It is the thinking mind, which is sometimes seen as disturbing and noisy, while it is also a most
useful
instrument.
Question internally: "This mind, this wonderful instrument of mind--is it me? Is it who I am?
Am I this personality, which is animating through this mind? Is this mind who I am at
the deepest level
of
my
being?
Who
am
I?"
Answer internally: "No, I am not this mind. It is my tool, a very useful too. I am that I am that
I am. I am That. I am beyond all of the activity of this mind, and truly dwell only on the other
side of this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya,
Atman. I am That. I am that I am that I am."
Chitta: Be aware of an inner field of mind that is like a canvas, on which all of the many
paintings of actions and sensation are drawn. Or, be aware of mind as lake or ocean, on which
the waves of thoughts are stirring. Or, be aware of this field as the screen on which the movies
are projected. Thoughts and impressions are coming and going, but all of this is happening in,
and
on
that
field,
canvas,
lake,
ocean
or
screen.
Question internally: "Is this field or lake of mind who I am, however vast it may be, and
however those memories may have come to be stored there? Is even this grand totality of
mental process who I am at the deepest level of my being? Who am I?"
Answer internally: "I am that I am that I am. I am beyond all of this vast field, on which the
mental and sensory dance plays. My real home, my true identity is on the other side of this
mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am
That. I am that I am that I am."
Ahamkara: Allow this powerful "I" to declare itself, the part that says with great strength,
"I am this or that. It is 'I' who owns these things. It is 'I' who is the doer of these actions.
Allow that wave of ego to be there, to stand firmly in awareness in this moment.
Question internally: "Is this ego, this powerful ego who I really am? Is this one who claims
both identity and ownership who I am at the deepest level of my being? Who am I?"
Answer internally: "I am that I am that I am. I am beyond even this, which makes the
strongest of all claims, by its declaring "I am." My true identity is subtler still, residing on the
other side of this mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth,
Turiya, Atman. I am That. I am that I am that I am."
Buddhi: So clearly now, all of this is seen. This Buddhi, this one who knows, decides, adjudges
with clarity and discriminates decisively now stands seemingly alone. Be aware of this
seemingly finest instrument of knowledge and wisdom. At rest, this high intelligence stands in
quiet
contentment.
Question internally: Yet, ask again, "is even this seemingly finest intelligence who I really am?
Or, does this subtle, fine being still draw its essence from some still finer consciousness? Is this
Buddhi, this highest aspect of mind, who I am at the deepest level of my being? Who am I?"
Answer internally: "Still subtler than this, is who I am. I am that I am that I am. I am that
pure consciousness that is to be found only on the other side of this mustard seed
called Bindu. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am That. I am
that I am that I am."
Who am I?

"Oh, mind, oh, mind, oh, mind. Sing the song of stillness and silence. Surrender; let go, mind.
I am that I am that I am. Who I am is that, which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am
That. I am that I am that I am."
Rest in That for some time, as if there is no time. Rest in that point called Bindu, as if there is
no space in which to rest. Allow body, breath and mind to be still, as if they are not even there,
nor ever were.
"I am that I am that I am. I am that beyond the mustard seed called Bindu. Who I am is that,
which is beyond: the Fourth, Turiya, Atman. I am That. I am that I am that I am."
"I am That."
"OM," and silence....
As with the previous exercises, this exercise is meant only as an exercise, not as a permanent
Meditation or Contemplation. However, you might want to adapt this practice in some way so
that you personally spend some of your practice time doing this type of introspection,
inspection within, or Contemplation. In time, this kind of witnessing and introspection, or
inspection within, becomes a natural self-awareness habit. It opens the door to the depths of
Contemplation or Contemplative Meditation, which is part of the process leading to the Bindu,
and That beyond these many other experiences.

Exercise #5
Bhuta Shuddi, Purifying the Chakras: In the Bhuta Shuddhi practice below, you are moving
attention systematically upward, one chakra at a time, from the Root Chakra to the Crown
Chakra. Then you reverse the process, moving attention downward one chakra at a time.
Attention is focused on the location, while the mantra is remembered in the mind. Attention is
also directed to be mindful of the expression and cognitive sense that is associated with that
chakra (as in the table above). In doing the practice, you might at some point naturally
experience sound or light, which is associated with the chakra. The sound and light are
not visualizedor imagined, as it is more preferred to experience them directly, as they are,
than to create false impressions of them.
The lengthy descriptions might make these exercises sound difficult or complex. They are not.
They are really quite simple and straightforward; it just takes understanding what to do, and
this comes by reading and experimenting. Then, the insights come.
First: Sit comfortably, with your head, neck and trunk aligned, with your eyes closed, as if
prepared for your regular Meditation.
Muladhara Chakra: Bring your attention to the perineum, the flat space between the anus
and the genital area. Take several seconds to allow your attention to find the space, and to get
settled into it.
Mantra Lam: Allow the mantra Lam to arise repeatedly in your mind field, silently. Allow it to
repeat at its own natural speed. You may find that it comes 5-10 times and wants to pause, or
you might find it wants to come continuously. If it pauses, allow it to return in its own time.
The mantra may move quickly or slowly. In any case, keep your attention on that space; this is
very important. That space might be tiny, such as a pinpoint, or it might be several inches
across. Follow your own inclination about the size of the space.
Element Earth: Allow your mind to naturally be aware of earth, solidity, or form, while
remaining aware of Lam. That awareness may come a little or a lot; either way is okay.
Indriyas of Elimination and Smell: Allow to come through your mind field the awareness of
the karmendriya of elimination (which operates throughout the body), and the jnanendriya of
smell, while remaining aware of Lam (best to become familiar with the nature of the indriyas).
Gradually, over time with the practice, it becomes more clear how it is that the indriyas operate
from these centers, along with the five elements. You may or may not also find that colors and
sounds naturally come to the inner field of mind.

Svadhistana Chakra: When you move your attention upwards towards the second chakra, be
mindful of the transition, of the motion of attention and the nature of the shift of energetic,
emotional, and mental experience. Allow your attention to naturally find the location of the
second chakra. Your own attention will find, and settle into that space. It is important to note
that the actual chakra is in the back, along the subtle spine called sushumna, although we
usually experience it in the front. Allow the attention to rest where it naturally falls, probably in
the front, but be mindful from time to time that the chakra is actually in the back. Gradually
attention will find this central stream running up and down through all of the chakras
(sushumna is actually subtler than the chakras).
Mantra Vam: Allow the mantra Vam to arise and repeat itself, at its own speed, naturally
coming and going. Hold your attention in the space, whether a pinpoint or a few inches across.
Element Water: Allow the awareness of water to arise, and come to see how this has to do
with allowing forms of flow or fluidity, whether relating to energy, physical, emotional, or
mental. Remain aware of Vam.
Indriyas of Procreation and Taste: Explore the awareness of the karmendriya of
procreation and the jnanendriya of tasting, while remaining aware of Vam (once again, become
familiar with the indriyas). Again, colors or sounds may or may not come and go.
Manipura Chakra: Be aware of the transition as you move to the third chakra, at the navel
center, which is also actually along the sushumna channel.
Mantra Ram: Allow the mantra Ram to arise and repeat itself, at its natural speed. Keep
attention in the space, whatever size at which it is experienced.
Element Fire: Be aware of the element of fire, and the many ways in which it operates
throughout the gross and subtle body from this center. Remain aware of Ram.
Indriyas of Motion and Sight: Be aware of the karmendriya of motion, and how motion itself
happens in so many physical, energetic, and mental ways. Be aware of the jnanendriya of
seeing, which you will easily see as related to fire and motion. Colors and sounds may or may
not come and go. Remain aware of Ram.
Anahata Chakra: Observe the transition as you move your attention to the fourth chakra, the
space between the breasts. Allow attention to become well seated there.
Mantra Yam: Remember the vibration of the mantra Yam, allowing it to repeat at its own
speed, while being mindful of the feeling it generates.
Element Air: Be aware of the element of air, and notice how that feels with the mantra.
Remain aware of Yam.
Indriyas of Holding and Touching: Notice how the element of air relates to the karmendriya
of holding or grasping, whether physically, energetically, mentally, or emotionally. Observe how
these relate to the jnanendriya of touching, and how that touching is very subtle in addition to
being a physical phenomenon. Colors and sounds may come and go. Remain aware of Yam.
Visshuda Chakra: Bring your attention to the space at the throat, the fifth chakra, which is
the point of emergence of space (which allows air, fire, water, and earth to then emerge).
Mantra Ham: In that space, be aware of the nature of space itself, allowing the
mantra Ham to arise and repeat itself.
Element Space: Notice the mantra Ham reverberating many times through the seemingly
empty space in the inner world (a space that is really not empty, but is of potential).
Indriyas of Speaking and Hearing: Awareness of the karmendriya of speech (actually,
communication of any subtle form) is allowed to be there, experiencing how that vibrates
through space, while continuing to remain aware of Ham. The jnanendriya of hearing is allowed
to come, also seeing how it naturally aligns with space, speech, and the vibration of mantra.
Notice the fine, subtle feelings, which come with the experience. Colors or sounds are allowed
to come and go, if they happen to arise.
Ajna Chakra: Gently, with full awareness, transition awareness to the seat of mind at the
space between the eyebrows, Ajna Chakra.

Mantra OM: Allow the mantra OM to arise and repeat itself, over and over, as slow waves of
mantra, or as vibrations repeating so fast that the many OMs merge into a continuous
vibration.
Beyond the Elements: Be aware of how mind has no elements, but is the source out of
which space, air, fire, water, and earth emerge. Remain aware of OM.
Beyond the Indriyas: Be aware of how this space, this mind, itself, does no actions, but is
the driving force of all of the karmendriyas of speech, holding, moving, procreating, and
eliminating. Remain aware of OM. Be aware of how this chakra, this mind, has no senses itself,
but is the recipient of all of the information coming from hearing, touching, seeing, tasting,
and smelling, whether the source of this input is the sensations from the external world,
coming through the physical instruments, or coming from the inner world of memories or
subtle experience, presenting on the mental screen through the subtle senses. Gradually, come
to see how OM mantra is experienced as the source or map of manifestation itself. Many
senses, images, or impressions may come and go, but they are let go, as attention rests in the
knowing beyond all senses, in the Ajna Chakra and the vibration of OM.
Sahasrara Chakra: Allow attention to move to the Crown Chakra, which is the doorway to
pure consciousness itself.
Silence after OM Mantra: The mantra (in its subtler, silent form) is that silence (not mere
quiet) out of which the rest have emerged. It is experienced as the silence after a single OM,
merging into objectless, sense-less awareness. Allow attention to rest in that pure stillness, the
emptiness that is not empty, which contains, and is, the pure potential for manifestation, which
has not manifested.
No Elements and No Indriyas: Awareness here has no element (bhutas), no cognitive sense
(jnanendriyas), no active means of expression (karmendriyas), as it is the doorway to pure
consciousness itself. Experience how this is the source out of whichmind emerges, after
which emerge the five elements, the five cognitive senses, and the five means of expression.
Continue to be aware of the silence after OM.
Returning through the chakras: Reverse the process, moving attention downward one
chakra at a time, from the Crown Chakra to the Root Chakra. Attention is focused on the
location, while the mantra is remembered in the mind.
Ajna Chakra: Briefly bring your attention back to the sixth chakra, allowing the vibration
of OM to return, which starts the journey of attention back into the body and world. A few
seconds, 30 seconds, or maybe a minute should be comfortable, though it may be longer if you
wish.
Visshuda Chakra: Bring your attention down to the fifth chakra, the throat,
remembering Ham, as you enter into the realm of space, hearing, and speaking. Again, a few
seconds or a minute is good.
Anahata Chakra: Transition to the fourth chakra, the heart, as you allow the mantra Yam to
arise, remembering the element of air. Awareness of holding and touching may or may not
arise.
Manipura Chakra: Be aware of the third chakra, the navel center, and the vibration of Ram,
along with the element of fire, with awareness of motion and seeing coming or not coming.
Svadhistana Chakra: Bring your attention to the second chakra, and allow the vibration of
the mantra Vam to arise and repeat itself, remembering the element of water, with awareness
of procreation and tasting coming or not coming.
Muladhara Chakra: Transition attention back to the first chakra, at the perineum, allowing
the mantra Lam to come.
Meditation: After completing the Bhuta Shuddhi practice (above), you might want to continue
with your regular Meditation, benefiting from the balancing qualities of the practice. One useful
practice to do next is to simply breathe up and down the spine, as if you are inhaling from the
base of the spine (first chakra) up to the crown of the head (Crown Chakra), and exhaling
down to the base of the spine. You may want to inhale and exhale with Soham Mantra (See the
article on Soham Mantra). Then continue with your regular Meditation, such as in the heart or

eyebrow chakras. Inside of that space, it is useful to be mindful of the ever-existent Bindu,
which, although not yet experienced, will one day be found and pierced, so as to experience
That beyond.

Spinal breath and sushumna: One of the simplest of all methods to purify the chakras and
open sushumna is the spinal breath practice. While the Bhuta Shuddhi exercise presented
above is very useful, this spinal breath practice is very straightforward and does not require
memorizing any steps or relationships with the chakras (the two practices are quite
compatible, and both can be done).
This practice is so utterly simple that it seems to many people that it is not a good
enough practice. Because of this simplicity, it is seldom done often enough or regularly
enough to consistently experience its profound effects.
Lie on the back in shavasana, the corpse posture, and literally try to be as still as a
corpse, and gently inhale up along the spine to the crown of the head, and exhale down
to either the base of the spine or out into the space beyond; a tremendous effect will
come in time.
The pause between the breaths is completely eliminated (gently), and as it becomes
smoother and smoother, the breath will naturally slow.
When breath slows to around four to five breaths per minute (10-15 seconds per
breath), mind will become calm and the body will quite nicely relax.
When the breath slows to around two or three breaths per minute (20-30 seconds per
breath), mind will become very still, without any words forming, and body awareness
will become subtle.
As breath naturally (not forced) slows to anywhere near about 45-60 seconds per
breath or slower, one is at the doorway to experiencing pure energy of prana, and the
sushumna channel will most assuredly be flowing smoothly.
From here, the stage is set for deeper experiences. To do this practice effectively takes
patience and getting past the inclination of the mind or ego to have some complex or
technically difficult practice.

Exercise #6
Purifying the Mind through Guru Chakra: Mana-Prakshalanam is the purifying of the
mind. The highest form of this purifying process is to directly allow the impurities of
thought patterns to revert back into the source from which they emerged. It is like
purifying gold by burning away the dross in the fire. Here, however, the fire is the inner
fire of knowledge and the dross is the colorings of attraction, aversion, and fear. In
systematic Meditation, first be aware of and relax the body, and then train the breath to
be smooth and serene. Before Meditation in the field of mind, do the practice with Guru
Chakra so as to calm, stabilize and clear the colorings. Then, move on to your regular
Meditation.

Body

Breath

Guru Chakra

Meditation

The lengthy descriptions might make these exercises sound difficult or complex. They
are not. They are really quite simple and straightforward; it just takes understanding
what to do, and this comes by reading and experimenting. Then, the insights come.
First: Sit comfortably, with your head, neck and trunk aligned, with your eyes closed, as
if prepared for your regular Meditation.
Body: Be aware of the body, the whole body, as one, complete physical being. Explore
the body, as if you are really curious. Survey the head, face, neck, shoulders, arms,
hands, fingers and finger tips. Return up the arms to the shoulders, to the chest and the
abdomen, slowly moving attention at a comfortable rate. Be aware of the hips, thighs,
knees, lower legs, feet, toes, and the tips of the toes. Return back up the legs, through
the abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers and finger tips. Then return up the
arms to the neck, face and head. Explore the whole body in this way, or some other way
that is comfortable and familiar (See the article on Relaxation).
Breath: Be aware of the breath at the diaphragm, establishing smooth, even,
diaphragmatic breathing, which is slow and has no gaps or pauses between breaths.
Continue with your regular breathing practices, such as mindfulness of breath along the
spine, inhaling upwards and exhaling downwards. (See the article on Breathing).
Guru Chakra / Jnana Chakra: Bring your attention to the forehead, as if aware of a
triangular size space. The base of the triangle is slightly (about 1/2 inch) above the
space immediately between the eyebrows (Ajna Chakra), and the peak of the triangle is
above. Be aware of the inner fire of Guru or Jnana, regardless of whether or not you can
literally see it there in the space.
People: Allow some one person to come to mind for whom there is some coloring,
such as anger or aversion. Allow the memory of the person to be there, but not turn
into a mental train of thinking, worrying, planning or scheming. It is just the
memory, as if in pause on a video player. It does not matter whether you can or
cannot literally see the person in your inner eye, nor does it matter if you can
literally see the inner fire of pranic energy in the triangle. Allow the impressions to
go into the inner fire, as if the coloring will burn or wash away, without destroying
the memory itself. It is as if the coloring itself (attraction, aversion, fear) is being
removed. Hold the image or memory in that way for some time, in the fire. Notice
that the feelings related to the coloring gradually soften and attenuate.
More people: Repeat this again, allowing some different person to come to mind.
Once again, allow the memory to burn in the fire of Guru or Jnana, removing the
attraction, aversion or fear, gradually resulting in there being only a mere memory
left, which is uncolored. Continue this with whomever you wish, for as long as you
wish (being mindful to stay within your comfortable capacity).
Objects: Think of some object with which there is a coloring of attachment,
aversion or fear. Allow that object to go into the inner fire of Guru Chakra. As with
people (above), don't allow it to turn into a train of thoughts, but remain only the
memory of the object itself. Hold it in that way for some time, as the coloring starts

to attenuate.
More objects: Repeat this again, with different objects coming into the mind field
and being put into the inner fire of Guru Chakra. Allow each object to remain in the
fire, as it gradually weakens its colorings of attraction, aversion or fear.
Opinions, attitudes, emotions: Similarly, allow individual opinions, attitudes and
emotions, which are negative or not useful to burn in the inner fire of Guru Chakra.
The practice is to allow the not-useful colorings of attachment, aversion and fear to
weaken and fall away (The practice is definitely not about suppression or repression
of thoughts and emotions in some way that would bring lethargy).
Finding stillness: After doing the practice for several minutes or longer, the mind
will gradually come to some degree of stillness. Ideally, it will be quite still, as
Meditation now comes quite easily and naturally. As with all practices, it may take
some time to attain the benefits. Gentle, loving and persistent practice is the key.
Meditation: After some time, when it feels comfortable, continue with your regular
Meditation, such as Meditation in the space between the breasts (Anahata Chakra) or
the tiny circle between the eyebrows (Ajna Chakra), being mindful of either the source
of light, or the source of sound, depending on your predisposition (or whatever is your
regular method). During your Meditation, if colored thoughts (attachment, aversion,
fear) should arise, do not return to the Guru Chakra. Just allow the thoughts to come
and go, while staying focused on your Meditation. With practice, the amount of time at
Guru Chakra will be sufficient that the rest of Meditation will be smooth and calm. It's
better to take the weeks and months to become comfortable with the timing at Guru
Chakra than to go on too quickly with your Meditation in a given Meditation session. If it
is comfortable, meditate with full conviction that you will encounter that mustard-seedsize point leading to Bindu, the doorway Beyond.

After Guru Chakra (Mana-Prakshalanam), do Meditation: After this phase of the practice
dealing with purifying the mind, it is time in the Meditation sequence to shift to pure onepointedness, completely leaving behind any of the images or impressions, which may have
been there during the Guru Chakra practice. Concentration and Meditation may become much
deeper now, as a result of this purifying practice. With this preparation, it is now more within
reach to truly clear the mind, so as to move towards experiencing deeper Meditation, as well
as towards the levels of samadhi or the fourth state, turiya.
Heart or eyebrow center; light or sound: If you don't have a particular method to follow,
you may find that after the Guru Chakra practice your mind is more willing to focus on either a
point in the inner cave of the spiritual heart (Anahata Chakra), a space experienced as being
about the size of the palm of your hand, or on a point within the tiny circle of the eyebrow
center (Ajna Chakra). While focusing on that small point, resting in the stillness, silence, and
darkness, you may find a predisposition to Meditation on either the source of light or the
source of sound, and this inclination is useful to honor and follow. Remember that the various
practices converge on the Bindu, and this will naturally incorporate your personal spiritual or
religious perspective.
Approaching the Bindu: From this quiet state, after the Guru Chakra practice, there may be
even a moment of transcending the active mind, leading towards or into the experience of
the Bindu itself, and that which is beyond the Bindu. This is not said to prescribe for you the
particular object on which you, personally should meditate. That may be different for different
people, who follow a variety of traditions or Meditation methods. However, the process of
purifying the mind with Guru Chakra, and then following this with your Meditation is valid for
virtually all practitioners of Meditation.
Meditation on Bindu: Recall that the discussion in this article started by acknowledging that
the Bindu is encountered in the later or advanced stages of Meditation. Meditation on Bindu is

not merely a visualization exercise whereby you imagine some mental object (though that may
be useful). To find the Bindutakes a great deal of effort and patience, after having purified the
mind. While it takes great effort, it also takes great surrender. In the inner field of the subtler
aspects of mind, a circle, space, pit, hole or tunnel will eventually be experienced (it doesn't
matter what you call it). Eventually, the Bindu is encountered beyond that. It is approximately
like the stories we hear from time to time of some person having a near-death-experience, and
seeing light at the end of a tunnel. The tunnel entrance is at the chakra, the tunnel is called
Brahma Nadi, and the point of light is Bindu (Recall that Bindu means point or dot, and has
been likened to a mustard seed). Note that in the stories about seeing light at the end of a
tunnel, the witness has not yet gone up the tunnel, merged into the point, or transcended it. It
can be a bit frustrating to read about encountering the Bindu, but not be able to do it at this
very moment. Until it comes, it is common to sit there in the dark, not only not finding
the Bindu, but not even finding a circle or tunnel. Patience and practice are the keys, as
exasperating at it may be.
Piercing the Bindu: At some point the Bindu is encountered and transcended. It is like
entering the circle or tunnel, traveling up the tunnel (Brahma Nadi), encountering and
engaging the point or Bindu, and then piercing the Bindu, so as to experience that beyond,
which is That out of which the Bindu and individuality originally emerged (In the Himalayan
tradition, this occurs through the process of grace called shaktipata). The precise process defies
description, but it can be described in approximate terms. The word that seems to best capture
the nature of piercing the Bindu is that it is like an explosion, as the mind and the sense of
individuality and time seem to be transcended. The word explosion is not used in a destructive
sense, but only an experiential sense. Another way of describing the piercing of Bindu is that it
is like crashing through walls in very rapid succession. This process may happen in stages over
time, like piercing a series of Bindus, or may be experienced at once, in rapid succession.
Finally, there is a merging of individuality, light and sound into its unified, undifferentiated
source, which was never really divided in the first place, but only appeared to be so. It is an
experience not of going into and out of Meditation, but one of going into and bursting
through to the other side. It leaves insights that are only somewhat captured by phrases like
"All of this, is that Absolute Reality (karvam khalvidam brahman)," "I am that Absolute Reality
(aham brahmasmi)" "I am that I am; I am That (sohamasmi; soham)."