In this article, the topic focus’s on the sixth limb of Yoga, Dharana. In my personal yoga practice the main theme that comes up often is, how I can live more mindfully and be more aware of my actions, thoughts, emotions and decisions. Do I move in action throughout the day being mindful or from a reactionary place of the MIND-FULL? Not surprising the mind was more full than mindful. Through a consistent practice and training mindful living is enhanced and it can start with the Sixth Limb of Yoga: Dharana
Dharana translated is the “concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness”. It means “immovable concentration of the mind”. The idea is to hold your concentration or focus of attention in one direction.
The ancient path of eight limbs is the evolution of personal growth and enlightenment. In Indian Art the belief is the seeker reaches the sixth stage, dharana when the body has been lightened by asana (yoga poses), when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama (breath control) and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara (withdraw of senses from external objects. Non-attachment). This is similar to the lesson of holding on and letting go.
At the dharana stage, the seeker is concentrated wholly on a single point or on a task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to achieve this state of complete absorption. In current modern times, it means focusing of the mind rather than moving in action with every random thought, or reacting to each circumstance that isn’t ideal or what we expected. Yoga teaches how to care for one self and how to calm the mind and achieve balance between the bodies. For one who practices yoga consistently and in it’s authenticity to the 8 limbs; achieving mindful living through dharana is easier to attain.
We are able to create the conditions for the mind to focus its attention in one direction instead of going out in many different directions. Deep contemplation and reflection can create the right conditions. Attention on this one point of focus that we have chosen becomes more intense. When we encourage one particular activity of the mind and the more intense it becomes, the other activities of the mind fall away.
Sri Swami Satchidananda stated, “Concentration is the beginning of meditation; and meditation is the culmination of concentration”. It’s normal to notice the mind running from place to place, thought to thought, essentially having the domino effect while trying to focus on one thought or objects. In the hurried and racing mind the object moves from place to place with the pace of thought. To begin the practices of concentration find an object to rest your eyes on (gazing). In the first sitting concentrate/focus on an object for 5-10 minutes and increase the time in each practice. Eventually you can close your eyes and bring an image of an object to the mind and bring concentration inward. You may find through this practice you lose the inward concentration and practice concentration outwardly on an object. This is the flux that you must strive to flow with. Rather than force the concentration step out of yourself and be the observer.
In meditation one observes the fluctuation of the mind, but the mind can be tamed through a consistent practice. The practice of concentration as an observer is being aware of the mind running; pulling it back and it running off again, and then pulling it back again. Don’t be fooled or be mistaken that sitting in silence with your eyes closed you’ll feel that all is right and beautifully blissful in the world. Only to instead find you observe the mind running from thought to thought leaving you feeling uncomfortable and thinking “this isn’t my thing”. Meditation and yoga is like practicing a musical instrument, or learning to ride a motorcycle or learning anything new. To be good at something you practice what it is what you desire to be good at. The same applies to meditation and yoga. It’s a learning process and concentration/meditation doesn’t come easily, practice, practice, and practice!
Meditation, or any forced actions to calm the mind do not work and should be avoided. Sit in quiet to observe the minds state and inwardly be a witness to your inner world (body, mind & spirit). Through consistent and regular practice of sitting in observation (concentration) one can experience the calming state of mind that brings more clarity and awareness.
In conclusion with the desire to live more mindfully, practice concentration to steady the mind. First by focusing its attention upon some stable entity or object (gazing). The particular object selected has nothing to do with the general purpose, which is to stop the mind from wandering. Wandering through memories, dreams, or reflective thought-by deliberately holding it single-mindedly upon some apparently static object. Practice gazing each day and eventually you will experience more mindful action. It is a slow but steady practice and in the process of practice it will be one of the greatest transformational experiences in itself!
When the mind has become purified by yoga practices, it becomes able to focus efficiently on one subject or point of experience. Now we can unleash the great potential for inner healing when our minds are tamed. “Taming your mind to meditate is called dharana”.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras; III-1.
Reference: Patanjalii’s Yoga Sutras