Embodied Awakening Practices in the Vijnana Bhairava

September 5, 2013

So often, we compartmentalize our lives, with the spiritual stuff over here and everything else over here.  The more I’ve noted this tendency in myself, the more I’ve tried to bring the same open awareness to tasks such as shopping, work, and doing the dishes that I bring to reading sacred texts and meditation.

I’m always on the lookout for teachings that understand the essential unity of all existence, whether it manifests as the transcendent or the banal. When I first read a translation of the Vijnana Bhairava—one of the key texts of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism, the tradition from which Indian Buddhist Tantra evolved—I was delighted to find that its 112 dharanas, or practices, ranged from the subtle and obscure to the sensuous and embodied.   In other words, its techniques for meditative awareness encompassed all of life.

Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of working with one of my favorite Sounds True authors, Sally Kempton, to record a new program called Doorways to the Infinite: The Art and Practice of Tantric Meditation.  In this program, to be released next spring, Sally explores the practices of the Vijnana Bhairaiva, unpacking the deeper meanings of the dharanas and offering guided meditation practices that evoke their unique flavors.

Each of the Vijnana Bhairava’s verses—which are presented as a conversation between the  supreme lord Shiva and his consort Parvati—offers a doorway to expanded consciousness.  Some are concerned with the space between breaths, the ascent of kundalini, and mantra practice—familiar subjects for spiritual practitioners.  Other dharanas focus on the taste of food, on touch, on sexual ecstasy.

Still others point toward immediate realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

These dharanas prove that the ancients knew what we are rediscovering today—that spirituality is not something apart from all the other aspects of our lives.  In Tantric teachings, the human body is a mirror of the cosmic body.  When we have a felt sense of this unity of body and spirit, there’s no more gap between our spiritual lives and our ordinary lives.  All life is spirit, and everything is our path to awakening.

mitchell_blog_sally

Sally Kempton

Sally Kempton (1943–2023) studied and taught the wisdom of yoga for 40 years. A highly regarded teacher of meditation and spiritual philosophy, she wrote the popular Yoga Journal column Wisdom. Known for her gift of making yogic wisdom relevant to daily life and for transmitting deep states of meditation, she taught retreats and teleclasses internationally. Sally is the author of Meditation for the Love of It (Sounds True, 2011).

Author photo © Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta

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Embodied Awakening Practices in the Vijnana Bhairava

So often, we compartmentalize our lives, with the spiritual stuff over here and everything else over here.  The more I’ve noted this tendency in myself, the more I’ve tried to bring the same open awareness to tasks such as shopping, work, and doing the dishes that I bring to reading sacred texts and meditation.

I’m always on the lookout for teachings that understand the essential unity of all existence, whether it manifests as the transcendent or the banal. When I first read a translation of the Vijnana Bhairava—one of the key texts of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism, the tradition from which Indian Buddhist Tantra evolved—I was delighted to find that its 112 dharanas, or practices, ranged from the subtle and obscure to the sensuous and embodied.   In other words, its techniques for meditative awareness encompassed all of life.

Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of working with one of my favorite Sounds True authors, Sally Kempton, to record a new program called Doorways to the Infinite: The Art and Practice of Tantric Meditation.  In this program, to be released next spring, Sally explores the practices of the Vijnana Bhairaiva, unpacking the deeper meanings of the dharanas and offering guided meditation practices that evoke their unique flavors.

Each of the Vijnana Bhairava’s verses—which are presented as a conversation between the  supreme lord Shiva and his consort Parvati—offers a doorway to expanded consciousness.  Some are concerned with the space between breaths, the ascent of kundalini, and mantra practice—familiar subjects for spiritual practitioners.  Other dharanas focus on the taste of food, on touch, on sexual ecstasy.

Still others point toward immediate realization of the Self as pure consciousness.

These dharanas prove that the ancients knew what we are rediscovering today—that spirituality is not something apart from all the other aspects of our lives.  In Tantric teachings, the human body is a mirror of the cosmic body.  When we have a felt sense of this unity of body and spirit, there’s no more gap between our spiritual lives and our ordinary lives.  All life is spirit, and everything is our path to awakening.

mitchell_blog_sally

Invoking the Goddesses of Yoga

Tami Simon speaks with Sally Kempton, a teacher who has practiced, studied, and written about meditation and spiritual philosophy for more than 40 years. With Sounds True, Sally has authored Meditation for the Love of It and the recently released book Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga. In this episode, Tami speaks with Sally about how we can seek guidance and blessing from a goddess, the role of imagination in invoking goddess energy, the light and shadow sides of each goddess, and the relationship between goddess energy and the awakening of Kundalini in the human experience. (69 minutes)

Meditation and Kundalini Awakening, Part Two

Tami Simon speaks with Sally Kempton, a meditation teacher who has immersed herself in the world of meditation for over four decades and has earned a reputation as a highly experienced, gifted, and insightful meditation teacher. Sounds True will be releasing Sally Kempton’s new book Meditation for the Love of It, and the audio program Beginning Meditation. In the second part of this two-part episode, Sally discusses “having a love affair” with meditation, what it means for meditation to be one’s beloved, and kundalini awakening. (48 minutes)

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Being Single as Spiritual Practice: An Intentional Exp...

What if being single was not something to move past, but something to meet with awareness? Time alone can reveal patterns, emotions, and inner rhythms that are often missed in the presence of constant connection. In that space, being single can become a meaningful experience rather than an empty one.

For decades, we have shared spiritual wisdom from leading teachers and practitioners, offering a living library of insights that support presence, self-awareness, and transformation. Our work is rooted in real conversations and teachings that invite people to turn inward with honesty and care.

Here, we look at being single as a spiritual growth as an intentional practice, and how intentional singleness, self discovery alone, and spirituality support a deeper connection with yourself.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clarity Through Solitude: Being single, spiritual growth offers space to observe patterns and build deeper self-awareness without external influence.
  • Intentional Living: Intentional singleness supports emotional clarity, personal agency, and a stronger connection to your inner life.
  • Spiritual Alignment: Singleness and spirituality together foster presence, helping you cultivate a grounded sense of wholeness over time.

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Being Single: Spiritual Growth Through Intentional Singleness

Being single, spiritual growth begins with a shift in perspective. Instead of something to move beyond, singleness becomes a space for awareness. Intentional singleness invites direct experience through presence, where we begin to notice our thoughts, emotions, and deeper patterns more clearly.

Without the pull of external expectations, a quiet honesty emerges. We start to see what has been beneath the surface, even when it feels uncomfortable. Staying with these experiences becomes a practice, helping us meet uncertainty and recognize moments of natural ease.

In this way, being single is less about becoming someone new and more about being present with who we already are, steady beneath changing circumstances.

Intentional Singleness as a Path to Self Discovery Alone

Intentional singleness opens a doorway into self discovery alone that feels spacious and grounded. It becomes a time not of isolation, but of listening more closely to the inner life.

Turning Inward with Clarity

As we settle into intentional singleness, attention shifts inward. Thoughts and emotions become clearer, making it easier to notice patterns like seeking approval or avoiding discomfort.

These insights arise through presence, not force. Self discovery alone unfolds naturally when we allow ourselves to simply observe what is here.

Creating Space for Authentic Growth

Growth unfolds differently when it is not shaped by external expectations. Intentional singleness creates room for experimentation, for curiosity, and for rest.

In this space, we can explore what truly feels aligned. This might include creative expression, spiritual practice, or simply learning how to be still. These explorations are not about achieving something. They are about discovering what feels real.

Over time, this kind of growth supports a deeper sense of authenticity. We begin to trust our own experience. We begin to move through life with a little more ease.

Self Discovery Alone in the Context of Singleness and Spirituality

Self discovery alone deepens when it is held within the wider field of singleness and spirituality. It becomes more than a reflection. It becomes a direct encounter with our lived experience.

Meeting Yourself Beyond Roles

Relationships often invite us into roles, some conscious, some not. When we step into singleness, those roles begin to soften. There is less structure around who we are supposed to be.

This can feel unfamiliar at first. Without those familiar identities, we may wonder who we are. Yet this question carries a quiet power. It opens a space where we can meet ourselves more directly.

In singleness and spirituality, this meeting is not about defining ourselves. It is about experiencing ourselves as we are, moment by moment.

Deepening Awareness Through Spiritual Practice

Spiritual practice naturally supports this process of self discovery alone. With more time and space, practices such as meditation or reflective writing can become part of daily life.

These practices invite us to stay with our experience. They help us notice the movement of the mind without becoming caught in it. They support a kind of awareness that is steady and open.

Over time, this awareness begins to extend beyond formal practice. It becomes part of how we live. Singleness and spirituality begin to feel less like separate ideas and more like a shared way of being.

Being Single, Spiritual Growth, and the Power of Being Single by Choice

Being single, spiritual growth takes on a deeper resonance when we are single by choice. There is a sense of alignment that comes from consciously entering this space.

Reclaiming Agency

Choosing to be single shifts the experience from something that is happening to us into something we are participating in. This shift can feel subtle, yet it changes the tone of the entire experience.

There is a sense of ownership in the choice. We begin to feel more grounded in our own lives. This does not mean everything feels certain. It means we are willing to be present with what is here.

This willingness becomes a form of strength. It supports a deeper trust in ourselves.

Honoring Your Own Timing

Being single by choice also allows us to step outside of timelines that may not truly belong to us. There is less pressure to move toward a particular outcome.

Instead, we can listen more carefully to what feels right in this moment. This listening is not always clear or immediate. It unfolds over time.

Honoring our own timing creates space for growth that feels organic. It allows us to move at a pace that supports genuine understanding rather than urgency.

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Single by Choice: A Deeper Look at Intentional Singleness and Spirituality

Choosing to be single by choice within intentional singleness and spirituality creates a supportive and meaningful path for inner work.

  • It offers space to build a steady relationship with your inner world, one that is not shaped by external validation
  • It supports a deeper engagement with spiritual practices that nurture presence and awareness
  • It allows you to observe relational patterns with greater clarity, without being inside them
  • It encourages a sense of wholeness that arises from within rather than from circumstance
  • It invites a compassionate relationship with your emotional experience

These elements come together in a way that feels both grounding and expansive. Intentional singleness is not separate from spirituality. It is an expression of it, a way of meeting life directly and allowing it to teach us.

Singleness and Spirituality as Foundations for Self Discovery Alone

Singleness and spirituality create a natural foundation for self-discovery to unfold on its own. Without the constant movement of relationships, there is more space to notice the subtle layers of experience. Thoughts, emotions, and sensations become easier to observe.

Spirituality, in this sense, is not about reaching for something beyond ourselves. It is about becoming more intimate with what is already here. It invites us to stay present with our experience, even when it feels uncertain or incomplete.

Through this presence, self discovery alone becomes less about finding answers and more about deepening awareness. We begin to trust that understanding will emerge in its own time. This trust creates a sense of ease that supports continued growth.

Intentional Singleness and Being Single: Spiritual Growth in Daily Practice

Intentional singleness and being single spiritual growth unfold through small moments of awareness woven into daily life. Simple pauses, quiet reflection, and mindful attention help you stay connected to your inner experience.

Each moment becomes an opportunity to observe and learn, gradually deepening your connection with yourself. This awareness continues to evolve, supported by the space intentional singleness creates.

Self Discovery Alone While Living Single by Choice with Spiritual Awareness

Self discovery alone while living single by choice with spiritual awareness brings a sense of coherence to the experience of singleness. There is less tension between where we are and where we think we should be.

Spiritual awareness supports us in meeting each moment as it arises. It allows us to stay present with both ease and discomfort. This presence creates a kind of stability that does not depend on external conditions.

As we continue to live in this way, self discovery alone becomes an ongoing process rather than a destination. There is always more to notice, more to understand, more to feel.

Over time, a quiet recognition begins to emerge. There is a sense that nothing essential is missing. There is a feeling of being at home within ourselves, even as life continues to change.

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Final Thoughts

Being single, approached with intention, becomes a space for awareness rather than absence. It invites a quieter kind of attention, where self discovery alone unfolds through presence and honesty, allowing you to meet your inner world with greater clarity and care.

Intentional singleness supports a deeper connection with your inner life, creating a sense of steadiness that is not dependent on circumstance. Singleness and spirituality remind us that growth comes from how we meet our experience, and in that meeting, a grounded sense of wholeness begins to take shape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Being Single: Spiritual Growth

What does being single, spiritual growth actually mean in daily life?

It refers to using your time alone as a space for awareness and reflection. In daily life, this can look like noticing your reactions, spending time in stillness, and building a relationship with your inner experience rather than avoiding it.

Can intentional singleness improve emotional resilience?

Yes, intentional singleness can strengthen emotional resilience by helping you stay present with difficult feelings instead of immediately seeking distraction or reassurance from others.

How is intentional singleness different from simply being single?

Intentional singleness involves a conscious choice to engage with your inner life. It is less about circumstance and more about how you relate to your experience while you are single.

Is self discovery alone possible without spiritual practices?

Self discovery alone can happen without formal practices, but spiritual tools like meditation or journaling often support deeper awareness and consistency in the process.

Does being single by choice affect future relationships?

Being single by choice can lead to healthier future relationships because it allows you to understand your patterns, needs, and boundaries more clearly before entering a partnership.

How do singleness and spirituality influence decision-making?

Singleness and spirituality can create more space to reflect before making decisions. This often leads to choices that feel more aligned with your values rather than reactive or rushed.

What challenges might arise during intentional singleness?

Common challenges include facing loneliness, restlessness, or uncertainty. These experiences are part of the process and can offer insight when approached with awareness.

Can being single support spiritual growth and life purpose?

Yes, it can create the space needed to reflect on what feels meaningful to you, helping clarify your direction without external pressure.

How long should someone practice intentional singleness?

There is no set timeline. The duration depends on your personal needs and what feels supportive for your growth at a given time.

Is self discovery alone a continuous process or a phase?

Self discovery alone is ongoing. Even if your relationship status changes, the awareness you develop continues to evolve over time.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, activist, spiritual teacher, racial equity consultant, and intuitive healer. She is the author of six books, including Skill in Action and Finding Refuge. Amy Burtaine is a leadership coach and racial equity trainer. With Robin DiAngelo, she is the coauthor of The Facilitator's Guide for White Affinity Groups. For more, visit https://www.michellecjohnson.com/wisdom-of-the-hive.

Sally Kempton on Meditation: Why Trying to Quiet Your ...

Many people come to meditation hoping to quiet the mind, only to find themselves facing more thoughts than ever. This can feel discouraging, especially when it seems like the practice is not working. Yet the real challenge may not be the presence of thoughts, but the belief that they should not be there at all. Sally Kempton offers a perspective that shifts this assumption and opens the door to a more natural way of meditating.

At Sounds True, we have spent decades sharing the living wisdom of trusted spiritual teachers, preserving their teachings in a way that keeps their depth, warmth, and authenticity alive. Through voices like Sally Kempton’s, we continue to support a more compassionate and honest approach to inner practice.

Here, we look at Sally Kempton’s perspective on meditation for love of it, why trying to quiet the mind can create struggle, and how effortless meditation invites a different experience of awareness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Approach Shift: Meditation for love of it replaces control with curiosity and allows awareness to unfold naturally
  • Mindset Change: You can’t quiet mind meditation by force, but you can change your relationship to thoughts
  • Core Insight: Effortless meditation and Kashmir Shaivism meditation both point to awareness as already present

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Meditation for Love of It: Why Effortless Meditation Changes the Approach

Sally Kempton offers a way of understanding meditation that moves away from control and toward relationship. Meditation for love of it is not about fixing the mind, but about being drawn to presence itself.

This shift changes how practice feels. Thoughts and emotions no longer need to be treated as distractions. Effortless meditation allows experience to unfold without forcing the mind into silence.

Over time, it becomes clear that awareness does not depend on controlling thought. Instead of striving for stillness, meditation becomes a recognition of the awareness already present within every moment.

Why “Can’t Quiet Mind Meditation” Is a Misleading Goal

Many people believe meditation is about stopping thoughts, which can make the practice feel frustrating from the start. Sally Kempton reframes this by showing that the issue is not a busy mind, but the expectation that it should always be quiet.

The Problem with Trying to Silence the Mind

Trying to force the mind into stillness creates tension. The more we resist thoughts, the more persistent they become, turning meditation into a struggle and reinforcing frustration within the practice over time.

A More Supportive Way to Relate to Thought

Instead of stopping thoughts, we can allow them and simply notice them. This softens the experience and lets the mind settle naturally over time with greater ease and acceptance, without unnecessary effort.

Sally Kempton on Meditation for Love of It and Letting Thoughts Be

Sally Kempton’s teaching carries a sense of permission that many practitioners find deeply relieving. Instead of striving for an ideal state, she encourages a return to a more natural and compassionate way of practicing.

Letting Meditation Be Enjoyable

Meditation for love of it begins with enjoyment. This does not mean every session feels peaceful or pleasant. It means there is a genuine interest in being present. The practice is no longer driven by obligation or self-improvement alone.

When enjoyment is present, meditation becomes something we return to willingly. It feels like a space of connection rather than effort. This changes consistency in a meaningful way. We sit not because we should, but because something in us is drawn to the experience.

Allowing Thoughts Without Judgment

Another essential aspect of this teaching is the ability to allow thoughts without judgment. Thoughts arise on their own. They do not need to be evaluated or corrected at the moment.

When we stop judging our thoughts, we begin to notice them differently. There is more space between awareness and the thinking process. This space allows awareness itself to become more apparent. The practitioner begins to sense that they are not defined by the constant movement of the mind.

Effortless Meditation According to Sally Kempton

Effortless meditation is not the absence of attention. It is a refined form of attention that does not rely on strain. Sally Kempton describes it as a way of being with experience that feels both engaged and relaxed.

Effort Without Strain

There is still a form of effort in meditation, but it is gentle and responsive. When attention wanders, it is brought back without criticism. This creates a rhythm that feels supportive rather than demanding.

This kind of effort respects the nature of the mind. It allows for movement while gently guiding attention toward awareness. Over time, this builds a sense of stability that does not depend on controlling every thought.

Trusting the Process of Awareness

Trust plays a central role in effortless meditation. Awareness has its own intelligence. It does not need to be constantly directed. When we relax the impulse to correct every experience, something deeper begins to reveal itself.

This trust allows the practitioner to rest more fully in awareness. Instead of constantly adjusting the mind, there is a sense of allowing. This creates the conditions for a more natural and sustainable meditation practice.

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Kashmir Shaivism Meditation and the Nature of Awareness

Kashmir Shaivism meditation offers a perspective that supports this approach by recognizing awareness as the essence of all experience.

  • Awareness is understood as the foundation of everything we perceive, including thoughts and emotions
  • Thoughts are not obstacles but expressions of consciousness itself
  • The aim of practice is recognition of awareness, not control of the mind
  • Every experience is included within the same field of awareness
  • Meditation is not separate from life but part of a continuous unfolding

Through this lens, the need to quiet the mind begins to soften. The practitioner is no longer trying to change what arises. Instead, there is a growing recognition that awareness is already present, holding every experience.

This understanding brings a sense of ease into meditation. It aligns naturally with meditation for love of it, where the focus is on connection and presence rather than effort and correction.

What Sally Kempton Says About Can’t Quiet Mind Meditation

Sally Kempton offers reassurance to those who feel discouraged by an active mind. She emphasizes that thinking is not a sign of failure. It is part of the field of awareness that meditation reveals.

When we notice that we are thinking, something important has already happened. Awareness has recognized the activity of the mind. This moment of recognition is itself a form of meditation. It does not need to last long to be meaningful.

Rather than trying to eliminate thoughts, Kempton encourages a gentle return. Each return to awareness strengthens familiarity with presence. Over time, this builds confidence in the practice. The mind may still be active, but the relationship to it begins to change.

Practicing Effortless Meditation Through Kashmir Shaivism Meditation

When effortless meditation is combined with the insights of Kashmir Shaivism meditation, practice becomes both simple and profound. There is no need to create a special state. Awareness is already here.

One way to practice is to notice the space in which thoughts arise. Instead of focusing on the content of thought, attention shifts to the awareness that is observing. This shift can happen at any moment, not only during formal meditation.

As this becomes more familiar, meditation begins to extend into daily life. Moments of awareness appear in ordinary activities. Walking, listening, or pausing between tasks can all become part of the practice.

This continuity changes how meditation is experienced. It is no longer limited to a specific time or posture. It becomes an ongoing relationship with awareness itself.

Living Meditation for Love of It Without Trying to Quiet the Mind

Living meditation for love of it means allowing this relationship with awareness to move into everyday life. There is less emphasis on achieving stillness and more emphasis on staying connected to presence.

Thoughts and emotions continue to arise, as they always have. The difference is in how they are met. There is more space, more patience, and a deeper sense of allowing. This creates a quiet that is not forced but naturally emerges from acceptance.

Over time, this way of relating begins to influence how we experience ourselves and the world around us. Meditation is no longer something we do only when we sit down. It becomes part of how we live, moment by moment, grounded in awareness and guided by a genuine sense of care for the experience itself.

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Final Thoughts

Sally Kempton’s teaching reminds us that meditation is not about mastering the mind but about changing our relationship to it. When we practice meditation for love of it, the pressure to quiet every thought begins to fall away. What remains is a more natural awareness, one that includes everything rather than pushing anything aside.

In this way, effortless meditation becomes less about doing and more about allowing. Awareness is already present, steady and open, meeting each moment as it is.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meditation for Love of It

What does meditation for love of it actually mean?

Meditation for love of it means practicing without trying to achieve a specific outcome. The focus is on being present and engaged with the experience itself, rather than improving or fixing the mind.

Is it okay if my mind stays busy during meditation?

Yes. A busy mind does not prevent meditation from being meaningful. What matters is your awareness of what is happening, not the absence of thought.

How is effortless meditation different from traditional meditation?

Effortless meditation places less emphasis on control and more on allowing. It invites a softer attention that works with the mind rather than trying to direct it forcefully.

Can beginners practice meditation for love of it?

Yes. This approach can be especially helpful for beginners because it removes pressure and encourages curiosity instead of performance.

Does this approach improve focus over time?

Yes. While focus is not forced, it often develops naturally as the mind becomes less resistant and more settled through consistent practice.

What role does awareness play in meditation?

Awareness is the foundation of meditation. It is the capacity to notice thoughts, sensations, and emotions without becoming fully identified with them.

Do I still need a technique for meditation?

Techniques can be helpful, but they are not the center of this approach. They serve as gentle supports rather than strict rules to follow.

How long should I meditate using this method?

You can start with a few minutes and gradually extend your practice. The quality of attention matters more than the length of time.

Can this style of meditation reduce stress?

Yes. By changing how you relate to thoughts and emotions, this approach can create a sense of ease that supports emotional balance.

Is meditation for love of it connected to spiritual traditions?

Yes. It is influenced by teachings such as Kashmir Shaivism meditation, which emphasize awareness and the inclusion of all experience.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, activist, spiritual teacher, racial equity consultant, and intuitive healer. She is the author of six books, including Skill in Action and Finding Refuge. Amy Burtaine is a leadership coach and racial equity trainer. With Robin DiAngelo, she is the coauthor of The Facilitator's Guide for White Affinity Groups. For more, visit https://www.michellecjohnson.com/wisdom-of-the-hive.

One comment on “Embodied Awakening Practices in the Vijnana Bhairava

  1. Sidonie says:

    Reading your post upon awakening this morning has brought a bright smile on my face and sense of well being… I feel the warmth in my heart beckoning the familiar. Yes, I find spirit in the ordinary; it’s the way I’ve been experiencing life so far. Thanks very much for sharing!
    Much love & many blessings, xxx

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