sandeyeYoga Styles: Dharana Yoga
October 28th 2008 03:50
Dharana Yoga is another meditation method involved in Patanjali's Yoga practices. It is stage six of Raja Yoga, or Ashtanga (AKA 8-limbed Yoga) practice. It refers to holding the mind fixed upon a specific, and therefore is a practice of concentration or attentive focus. It can be referred to as single-pointed concentration.
One can practice Dharana at any time, not only on the Yoga mat or in seated meditation. It is a meditative practice that can be slotted into everyday life; practice opportunities arising in moments such as making a bed, raking a lawn, sweeping the floor, or simply taking a walk. If you are doing your chores, you simply fix your mentation upon the chore. If you are walking, you concentrate single-pointedly on your movement, or on your environment. You merely need to focus on a specific and hold your attention there, rather than letting your mind wander, bounce, chase, or otherwise become distracted. If you prefer seated meditation, you can use an inanimate object as your focus, such as a candle flame, religious icon, or even a mark on the wall in front of you.
Such a concentration can be very useful once mastered. A practitioner may wish to focus on a specific Chakra in order to assist with energy flow, for example. A Buddhist may prefer to concentrate on an image of the Buddha in order to practice their meditative stability.
One can practice Dharana at any time, not only on the Yoga mat or in seated meditation. It is a meditative practice that can be slotted into everyday life; practice opportunities arising in moments such as making a bed, raking a lawn, sweeping the floor, or simply taking a walk. If you are doing your chores, you simply fix your mentation upon the chore. If you are walking, you concentrate single-pointedly on your movement, or on your environment. You merely need to focus on a specific and hold your attention there, rather than letting your mind wander, bounce, chase, or otherwise become distracted. If you prefer seated meditation, you can use an inanimate object as your focus, such as a candle flame, religious icon, or even a mark on the wall in front of you.
Such a concentration can be very useful once mastered. A practitioner may wish to focus on a specific Chakra in order to assist with energy flow, for example. A Buddhist may prefer to concentrate on an image of the Buddha in order to practice their meditative stability.
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