Seeing the Sacred: A Phenomenological Interpretation of the Mandala Brahmana Upanishad through the Lens of Inner Light and Phosphenes

This paper explores the phenomenology of inner light as described in the Mandala Brahmana Upanishad, interpreting these accounts through a contemporary taxonomy of meditation-induced phosphenes. The Upanishad details three forms of meditation (Lakshyas) and a progressive series of luminous visions, ranging from subtle flickers to boundless formless radiance. By aligning these stages with the six-phase taxonomy of phosphene progression and Klüver’s form constants, I argue that the text provides not only symbolic imagery but also an early phenomenological map of visionary experience. The analysis shows striking parallels between ancient descriptions of luminous transformations and modern experiential reports from meditation, near-death states, and visionary dreams. This convergence suggests that the Upanishad offers one of the earliest systematic accounts of inner light as a transformative structure of consciousness, bridging ancient yogic insight with contemporary philosophy of perception and contemplative science.