Yoga Reach MediationDharanaFixing one’s mind on an external object, subtle or otherwise, like heart, lotus, nose or one’s favorite deity is called Dharana. After the practice of Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas and Pranayama, this becomes rather easy, especially after Pratyahara. Pratyahara brings the mind and the senses under control, so once the mind is at peace it can then concentrate successfully on any object. It has been stated in the “Moksha Parva” of the Mahabharata that the concentration performed in a state of delusion does not lead to achieve its goal. As a boat without oars in the sea cannot lead the passengers to the hank, similarly the boat of Dharana, without the oars of consciousness, cannot lead us across to the ocean of life. The sadhaka who practices Dharana according to the way shown by the Shastras achieves freedom from cycle of death and rebirth, and all his woes disappear. It is easier to dance on the sharp edge of a sword, than to practice Dharana with a turbulent and bewildered mind. Those who want to achieve success in Dharana should first regulate their food, thoughts, words and deeds. They should daily practice Dharana with perfect dedication. DhyanaMeditating with constant attention on the object of concentration is Dhyarta. It is said in the Upanishads that a sin, which is as high and as stupendous as a mountain, can be pierced only through Dhyana and not through any other means. It has been stated in Vivek Churamani that Dhyana purifies the mind of Rajas and Tamas gunas and lights the mind with Sattva gurta, just as an alkali purifies gold and makes it bright and sparkling. SamadhiSamadhi is the state of super consciousness and perfect calm. When the mind becomes one with the form of the object of its concentration in Dhyana, it leads one to the state of Samadhi. It is the climax of Dhyana. When Dhyana achieves maturity, the mind loses the sense of duality with the object of concentration (Dhyana), leading to the state of Samadi. One has to practice Dhyana in its fullest form to reach this stage. In Dhyana state, the object of Dhyana, the s who practices Dhyana and Dhyana itself appear to be separate and different from each other. But in the state of Samadhi, the only thing left is the object of Dhyana, because all the three become one in Samadhi, the difference between the self and the object completely disappears. Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, these three are collectively called Sanyama in the language of Yoga Shastras. When one achieves maturity, the sattvic feeling of the object of Dhyana is the only thing that remains and the intellect is fixed on this only. This helps to unfold the world of knowledge and wisdom to the seeker and he reaches super conscious state. |