Dwelling in the Middle of Pleasure and Pain
Bhairava
Instead of getting swept up by sadness or chasing pleasure, this verse asks you to stay centered. If you can remain steady in the middle, you may notice something in you that is bigger than both feelings. It is like standing on firm ground while waves rise and fall.
विज्ञानभैरव तन्त्रम् न वचत्तं वनवक्षपेद् दु्खे न सुखे वा पवरवक्षपेत् । भैरवि ज्ञायतां मध्ये वकं तत्त्वमिवशष्यते ॥ १०३ ॥
na cittaṃ nikṣipet duḥkhe na sukhe vā parikṣipet | bhairavi jñāyatāṃ madhye kiṃ tattvam aviśiṣyate || 103 ||
Translation
Do not cast the mind into sorrow, nor throw it into pleasure. O Bhairavī, know the middle: what reality remains distinct there?
Rest in the middle ground beyond reactive pleasure and pain, and discover the reality that is not divided by opposites.