​In the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, a revered Mahayana Buddhist text, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva elucidates a profound meditation technique centered on inward listening. This method emphasizes redirecting one’s auditory focus from external sounds to internal awareness, facilitating a journey toward deep inner tranquility and enlightenment.​

The Method of Inward Listening:

Avalokiteshvara begins by turning the faculty of hearing inward, aiming to “enter the current of the sages.” As external sounds fade, both sound and silence cease to arise, leading to a state where even the awareness of hearing dissolves. This progressive emptying culminates in transcending ordinary perceptions, unveiling an ultimate stillness. In this profound state, Avalokiteshvara experiences a unity with the enlightened minds of all Buddhas and a deep connection with all sentient beings, embodying boundless compassion.​Wikipedia+1Dharmawheel+1

Source:

This meditation approach is detailed in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, specifically in the section where twenty-five sages discuss their respective methods of practice. Avalokiteshvara’s discourse on inward listening is among these teachings. For a comprehensive understanding, refer to the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, as translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society. ​Wikipedia

This inward listening technique underscores the significance of directing attention away from external stimuli to internal experiences, facilitating a transformative journey toward enlightenment. Shunyam Adhibhu