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It is one-pointed concentration, or fixing one' s full attention at one place, object, or idea at a time. Dharana is the ability to bring the mind into focus and to hold the concentration on a single point. In true dharana all body-consciousness and restless thoughts cease, enabling one to focus on the object of meditation without distraction. The mind will be free within the periphery of this area, but it should not cross the boundary. This exercise is known as Dharana.

Dharana suggests fixing one's attention completely at one place, object or idea at a time. It is the ability to bring the mind into focus and hold the concentration on a single point. In true Dharana all body-consciousness and restless thoughts cease, enabling one to focus on the object without distraction.<ref name=":0" /> The Yoga Sutras define Dharana as, <blockquote>देशबन्धश्चित्तस्य धारणा ।। ३.१ ।।<ref>Yoga Sutras, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9 Pada 3 (Vibhuti Pada)]</ref> deśabandhaścittasya dhāraṇā ।। 3.1 ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Dharana is holding the mind on to some particular object.  

Here's an analogy in the form of a story for a better understanding of this definition of Dharana.

Swami Vivekananda elaborates on this sutra and states that Dharana (concentration) is when the mind holds on to some object, either in the body, or outside the body, and keeps itself in that state.<ref>Swami Vivekananda, [http://www.hinduonline.co/DigitalLibrary/SmallBooks/PatanjaliYogaSutraSwamiVivekanandaSanEng.pdf Patanjali Yoga Sutras].</ref>

A farmer owned a calf. The calf wanted to roam around in different directions. It was essential to control the calf from wandering about in different directions. However, tying it up to a particular point was not possible. So, the farmer tied a cord of certain length to its neck and then tied the other end of the cord to a hook in the ground. That way, the calf freely moved in the circle, the radius being the length of the cord, at the same time, remained restricted within the circle. Thus, the farmer had a control on the calf and also the calf was not at a loss either, as it gained controlled freedom. This attitude and the idea is important. The mind, which is just like the calf wants to roam around everywhere. It is not possible to engage it at a particular point or location.

=== Controlled Freedom of the Mind ===

Dharana is an exercise that enables the mind to experience freedom within the periphery of a specific area; within a specific boundary. The following story helps in better understanding this concept of Dharana.

Dharana is focusing on a single point which could be

A farmer owned a calf. The calf wanted to roam around in different directions. It was essential to control the calf from wandering about in different directions. However, tying it up to a particular point was not possible. So, the farmer tied a cord of certain length to its neck and then tied the other end of the cord to a hook in the ground. That way, the calf freely moved in the circle, the radius being the length of the cord, at the same time, remained restricted within the circle. Thus, the farmer had a control on the calf while the calf gained controlled freedom.

• the breath

The mind, like the calf, wants to roam around everywhere. Dharana is a practice that helps restrict the focus of the mind to a particular point. The point of focus could be

• a mantra

* a mantra

• a word or

Therefore, Dharana or concentration refers to fixing of the mind on both a concrete object or on an abstract idea.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2006), [https://archive.org/details/practice-of-yoga/mode/2up?view=theater Practice of Yoga], Shivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

• any object.

Dharana, generally referred to as concentration, is direction of attention towards a single object. Everyone has the ability to concentrate. However, during favourable activities there is total concentration. While at other times, thoughts are scattered and the mind jumps from one thing to another. It is for those times that one needs to learn and practice Dharana or concentration. For, it trains the mind to be attentive and attain awareness.<ref name=":0" />

In the beginning, focusing of the mind is difficult; therefore a beginner starts meditating for a few minutes only and later on increases its duration. Concentration is direction of attention to a single object. Everyone has the ability to concentrate. However, during favourable activities there is total concentration. While at other times thoughts are scattered, and the mind jumps from one thing to another. It is for those times that one needs to learn and practice concentration.

The development of concentration follows the practice of asanas, pranayama ie. breathing practices and Pratyahara (control of the senses). The  steps in the practice of Dharana itself involves,

Learning a skill takes practice whether it is dancing, writing, or concentrating. The practice of concentration can be developed by performing asanas, breathing practices, pranayama and meditation.

* Sitting quietly in Padmasana with closed eyes and observing one's breath ie. the process of inhalation and exhalation.

* Performing Aumkara chanting ie. chanting A-kara, U-kara and M-kara (A-U-M) in a sequence and focusing on the picture of Om.  

This will help in focusing. It is also called as Nadanusandhana and gives a soothing effect to the entire body.<ref name=":0">Yoga - Level B ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_B/Yoga/Yoga_(Level-B)_ch-4-final.pdf Chapter 4]), Open Basic Education Programme (Bharatiya Jnana Parampara), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling.</ref>

 

 

 

 

• Chanting (A-kara , U-kara, M-kara, A-U-M) in a sequence and focusing on the picture of OM will help in Dharana or focusing. This is also called as Nadanusandhana which also gives a soothing effect to the entire body.<ref>Yoga - Level B ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_B/Yoga/Yoga_(Level-B)_ch-4-final.pdf Chapter 4]), Open Basic Education Programme (Bharatiya Jnana Parampara), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling.</ref>

 

 

 

 

Dharana (concentration) is when the mind holds on to some object, either in the body, or outside the body, and keeps itself in that state.<ref>Swami Vivekananda, [http://www.hinduonline.co/DigitalLibrary/SmallBooks/PatanjaliYogaSutraSwamiVivekanandaSanEng.pdf Patanjali Yoga Sutras].</ref>

== References ==

== References ==