Phosphenes: A Gateway to the Inner Light
It was in Bhutan, in the quiet shelter of the majestic mountains, that I first encountered the phenomenon of phosphenes. This was in the last century, during a time when I was deeply immersed in the exploration of ancient wisdom traditions. Sitting with a lama in a small, incense-filled room, I closed my eyes at his instruction and allowed my gaze to soften inward. What I saw behind the darkness of my closed eyes wasn’t just black—it was alive, a dance of light and shifting forms, vibrant yet indescribable. The lama smiled, as if he knew exactly what I was seeing. “This,” he said mysteriously, “is your inner light.”
I didn’t know it then, but this simple experience was the beginning of a profound journey—one that would bridge ancient traditions and lead me deeper into the truth of who I am. Phosphenes, these luminous patterns that arise when the eyes are closed, are not just an optical curiosity. They are a doorway, a direct route into the recognition of our true nature. We have a whole playlist on the Yoga of the Inner Light. I think it is the fastest route to enlightenment!
The Shortcut to Advaita Recognition
In the tradition of Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate realization is the recognition that we are not the body, the mind, or even the personal self, but the infinite awareness in which all arises. This realization, while simple, often seems elusive, hidden behind layers of thought, emotion, and identity.
Phosphenes offer a unique shortcut to this realization. They bypass the mind’s usual distractions and point directly to the luminous nature of awareness itself. When we meditate on phosphenes, we are no longer engaging with the external world or the conceptual mind. Instead, we are drawn into the pure presence of light—a light that is both within us and beyond us.
The Vedic seers spoke of the “Jyotir Atman,” the light of the Self. This isn’t a metaphor but a lived experience of seeing the inner radiance that is our essence. Phosphenes, when approached with openness and stillness, reveal this radiance, offering a direct glimpse into the non-dual reality that Advaita describes.
Rigpa and the Tibetan Connection
The concept of Rigpa in Tibetan Buddhism resonates deeply with the experience of phosphenes. Rigpa is often translated as “pure awareness” or “the ground of being.” It is the direct, unconditioned knowing of reality as it is. In Dzogchen practice, practitioners are guided to recognize Rigpa not as something external to be attained, but as their own luminous, ever-present nature.
When meditating on phosphenes, there is a striking parallel to this recognition. The lights and patterns that emerge are not “things” to observe; they are expressions of the very awareness that observes. The key is to see through the lights into their source—the luminous emptiness that is Rigpa.
My experiences in Bhutan planted the seed of this understanding. Over time, as I explored the Tibetan teachings, I realized that the inner light of phosphenes is not separate from the clear light of Rigpa. Both point to the same truth: that our essence is spacious, luminous, and boundless.
The Vedic and Tantric Pathways
The ancient Vedic and Tantric traditions also hold profound teachings on the inner light. In the Upanishads, there is the constant refrain of “Tat Tvam Asi”—you are That. The “That” here is not an object but the formless, luminous awareness that underlies all existence. The Rishis, the ancient seers of India, described the experience of light arising in meditation as a direct encounter with the divine.
In Tantra, the inner light is often linked to Kundalini awakening. As the Kundalini energy rises through the central channel, it purifies the nadis (energy pathways) and reveals the radiant nature of consciousness. The tantric practices of inner visualization and focus on specific energy centers are designed to amplify and stabilize the experience of this light.
Phosphenes, interestingly, align with these descriptions. They arise naturally, without the need for complex practices, and guide the practitioner inward. In this way, they mirror both the Vedic focus on the pure light of the Self and the Tantric emphasis on the luminous play of energy and consciousness.
Phosphenes as a Modern Tool for Inner Light Yoga
For those of us in the modern world, where distractions abound, the practice of meditating on phosphenes is a powerful tool. It requires no rituals, no dogmas—just the willingness to sit quietly and observe. As the lights begin to dance, the boundaries of the self soften, and a deeper awareness emerges.
In my own experience, phosphenes have become a constant companion on the path of inner light yoga. They are a reminder that the luminous essence we seek is already within us, always present, waiting to be recognized. Whether seen as a physical phenomenon or a metaphysical reality, they serve as a bridge between the ordinary and the infinite.
To meditate on phosphenes is to step into the mystery of light, to let go of the need to “understand” and simply be. In that luminous stillness, the ultimate truth of Advaita, Rigpa, and the Vedic wisdom becomes clear: the light we see is the light we are.
This is the gift of phosphenes—not just as a practice, but as a revelation.
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