Greetings Yogis and
Yoginis,
This week in class
we will be exploring dharana, the sixth limb of Yoga - concentration.
The concept of dharana is found in verse III.1 of
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
III.1 desa bandhah cittasya dharana
Fixing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration
(dharana).
Dharana means focus of
attention. Focusing the attention on a
chosen point or area, within or outside the body, is concentration. By it the functions of the mind are
controlled and brought to one focal point.
Once mastery of the five stages of
yoga from yama to pratyahara is achieved, the art of focusing the mind and consciousness
is undertaken. Dharana is established
when the mind learns to remain steady on its own, or hold on to an unmoving
object.
The practitioner can cultivate
dharana in asana when the practice is turned inward by directing the organs of
actions and the senses of perception towards the mind and the mind towards the
core.
Dharana is a practice: the mind
running, your bringing it back; its running, your bringing it back. You are taming a monkey. Once it is tamed, it will just listen to
you. You will be able to say, “Okay, sit
quietly.” And it will. At that point you will be meditating.
Dharana is the beginning of
meditation and meditation is the culmination of concentration.
Homework:
Why must we stop running all over the place to attain a
state of concentration?
Is concentration a matter of work or of will?
Consider all of the limbs of yoga we have discussed so far: from
yama to pratyahara. How do they all work
together to support the practice of Dharana?
References:
Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Sri
Swami Satchidananda, and The Essence
of Yoga, Bernard Bouanchaud
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal,
and Vancouver Washington
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