Dharana - Concentration YS III - 1

Yoga Sutra III - 1 - DESABANDHAS CITTASYA DHARANA - Dharana is the binding of the mind to one place, object or idea.

Swami Satchidananda - "When the chittam, or sum-total of the mind, is being bound by one thing or bound in one place, it is in dharana. In other words, in dharana you are training the mind. It is the beginning of meditation. Concentration is the beginning of meditation, meditation is the culmination of concentration."

We are reminded that our mind is always running and that within a fraction of a second it goes to something else. To start to practice dharana, concentration, it is easier to concentrate on physical objects, symbols or idols as opposed to abstract. While looking at an object, tradak, or gazing comes in handy.

"Tradak is actually gazing at something, sometimes without even blinking. Don't strain the eyes. Just look at your object as long as you can. You'll be able to look longer if you put your mind on the idea behind the object (like a rose): how beautiful it is, what a great gift has come from a thorny bush, etc. Like that, associated ideas will come in. " Eventually the gazing will be forgotten, although you would still be gazing without blinking. When you do close your eyes, attempt to bring a mental picture of what you were focusing on. You might see it and then lose it. With practice you will be developing that impression in your mind. Swami Satchidananda uses the example of photography for us to understand the picture, the film and how it is developed.

"As you think, so you become." Swami Satchidananda is telling us that as we perform an action physically, we can sit back and try to remember the whole thing in our mind in proper sequence. Once it becomes easy, we don't even need to do the physical action anymore. He also explains the nature of the mind wandering. He tells us not to get frustrated, and never give up. "And never think, 'Oh, I am unfit for meditation.' That is the biggest mistake many people make." He reminds us of Book I, Sutra 14: "Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended for a long time, without break and in all earnestness." "This very practice itself is called concentration: The mind running, your bringing it back; its running, your bringing it back."

"Training your mind to meditate is what is called dharana."

See related posts:

• Dharana - YS II - 53
• Distractions and Dharana
• Practice Concentration YS I - 32
• Are you Aware of Your Senses?
• Concentrate on a Pure Soul YS I - 37