 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.
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