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Line 2: − + − The practice of Dhyana follows the practice of the earlier steps of Ashtanga Yoga, namely, Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara and Dharana. In fact, Dhyana is a continuation of Dharana. For, meditation is nothing but a more mature state of concentration. The continuous practice of Dharana on Breath or Omkara eventually leads to Dhyana.<ref name=":0" /> The Yoga Sutra says, + − तत्र प्रत्ययैकतानता ध्यानं ।। ३.२ ।।<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> + − + − + + + − + − − Concentration or Dharana produces in us a state in which the natural wandering of our thoughts, the fluctuations of the psyche, are brought under control. In a state of concentration, the psyche attends to one thing so that there is intensification of activity of the mind in one particular direction. In a state of concentration the focus of attention is narrowed. This focus is expanded when one goes from concentration to contemplation or Dhyana. Contemplation helps to concentrate longer and to fix one’s attention on any object for a length of time with ease and in an effortless manner. − − There are two ways of understanding the term meditation. − − * a technique to control the wanderings of the mind − * a state of the mind where these wanderings are brought under control<ref name=":1" />
Editing
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
The word 'Dhyana' is derived from the root words, 'dhi' meaning ‘receptacle’ or ‘the mind’ and 'yana' meaning ‘moving’ or ‘going’. An alternate etymology is from the root word, 'dhyai' meaning ‘to think of’. Dhyana is usually translated as meditation, implying a state of calm.
The word 'Dhyana' is derived from the root 'dhyai' meaning ‘to think of’. Dhyana is usually translated as meditation, implying a state of calm.<ref name=":0" /> However, there are two ways of understanding the term meditation.
* a technique to control the wanderings of the mind
* a state of the mind where these wanderings are brought under control<ref name=":1" />
Meaning: An unbroken flow of knowledge to that object is Dhyana.
In Ashtanga Yoga, the practice of Dhyana follows the practice of the earlier steps. Namely, Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara and Dharana. In fact, Dhyana is a continuation of Dharana (Concentration). The continuous practice of Dharana eventually leads to Dhyana. For, meditation is nothing but a more mature state of concentration. <ref name=":0" /> The Yoga Sutra says, <blockquote>तत्र प्रत्ययैकतानता ध्यानं ।। ३.२ ।।<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> tatra pratyayaikatānatā dhyānaṁ ।। 3.2 ।।</blockquote>Meaning: An unbroken flow of knowledge to that object is Dhyana.
Swami Vivekananda explains this further and states, "The mind tries to think of one object, to hold itself to one particular spot, as the top of the head, the heart, etc., and if the mind succeeds in receiving the sensations only through that part of the body, and through no other part, that would be Dharana, and when the mind succeeds in keeping itself in that state for some time it is called Dhyana (meditation)."<ref>Swami Vivekananda, [http://www.hinduonline.co/DigitalLibrary/SmallBooks/PatanjaliYogaSutraSwamiVivekanandaSanEng.pdf Patanjali Yoga Sutras].</ref>
Expaining this further Swami Vivekananda states,
"The mind tries to think of one object, to hold itself to one particular spot, as the top of the head, the heart, etc., and if the mind succeeds in receiving the sensations only through that part of the body, and through no other part, that would be Dharana, and when the mind succeeds in keeping itself in that state for some time it is called Dhyana (meditation)."<ref>Swami Vivekananda, [http://www.hinduonline.co/DigitalLibrary/SmallBooks/PatanjaliYogaSutraSwamiVivekanandaSanEng.pdf Patanjali Yoga Sutras].</ref>
Concentration or Dharana produces in us a state in which the natural wandering of our thoughts, the fluctuations of the psyche, are brought under control. In a state of concentration, the psyche attends to one thing so that there is intensification of activity of the mind in one particular direction. In a state of concentration the focus of attention is narrowed. This focus is expanded when one goes from concentration to contemplation or Dhyana. Contemplation helps to concentrate longer and to fix one’s attention on any object for a length of time with ease and in an effortless manner.
Psychological research on meditation also suggests that attention is a key component of meditation and that it is crucial for attaining a meditative state. Conversely, there are also several empirical studies that suggest that meditation enhances one’s attentive focus. The Embedded Figures Test is a commonly used psychological test which requires the subject to pay attention to a task and to ignore the distracting stimuli. Studies with children as well as adults who practiced meditation have shown improved performance on this test, suggesting enhanced attentional control on their part.
Psychological research on meditation also suggests that attention is a key component of meditation and that it is crucial for attaining a meditative state. Conversely, there are also several empirical studies that suggest that meditation enhances one’s attentive focus. The Embedded Figures Test is a commonly used psychological test which requires the subject to pay attention to a task and to ignore the distracting stimuli. Studies with children as well as adults who practiced meditation have shown improved performance on this test, suggesting enhanced attentional control on their part.<ref name=":1" />
== ध्यानस्य लक्षणानि ॥ Features of Dhyana ==
== ध्यानस्य लक्षणानि ॥ Features of Dhyana ==