Dhyana (ध्यानम्)

Dhyana (Samskrit: ध्यानम्) refers to contemplation or meditation, the 7th step in the path of Ashtanga Yoga expounded by Maharshi Patanjali. In fact, this path systematically developed and described by Maharshi Patanjali to enable union of the empirical self with the universal transcendental self in the Yoga Sutras is also known as 'Dhyana Yoga'.

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 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. 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.

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

ध्यानस्य लक्षणानि ॥ Features of Dhyana

The features of Dhyana include,

• Slowness of breath
• One focus point awareness
• Effortlessness
• Wakefulness

ध्यानस्य प्रयोजनम् ॥ Benefits of Dhyana

The benefits of practising Dhyana are manifold.

• It helps one to get rid of negative emotions like fear, anger and helps one to develop positive emotions like love, compassion, friendliness and cheerfulness.
• It keeps the mind calm and quiet.
• It increases concentration, memory, clarity of thought and will power.
• It rejuvenates body and mind.

The practice of meditation is paramount in bringing about a transformation in one’s cognitive style, dispositions, and emotional feeling.

It is a means of achieving transcendence, i.e., overcoming the limitations surrounding the human condition.

Purpose of Meditation:

The purpose of meditation, we are told by Patañjali and the successive Rāja Yoga practitioners, is to control the wanderings of the mind (citta vṛttis) and empty the mind of its thought content. In fact, “silencing” of one’s thoughts is an important sign of progress in meditation.

Also, there are several hindrances to practicing meditation such as fatigue, doubt, delusion, and instability of the mind (Yoga Sūtras, I.30). Successful practice of meditation implies that these hindrances are overcome at least to some degree. Therefore, emotional well-being, reduced anxiety, and overcoming ego-involvement may be expected to correlate with progress in successful meditation.

Meditation is believed to lead to enlightenment and self-transforming peak experiences.

Neurophysiological view of Meditation

The meditative state itself may not fit into a unique neurophysiological description, either because there is not a single meditative state but different meditative states with different neurological correlates, or because meditative states are simply beyond any kind of neurophysiological description. A meditative state may be simply a functional state that bestows on the meditator certain abilities that seem to exceed her normal capabilities. This possibility should be kept in mind when interpreting neurological correlates of meditative practices. Therefore, if meditation research shows that the meditative state is not associated with a neurophysiological signature, it doesn't make it less real because it may be beyond neurophysiological description.

Dharana and Dhyana

There is some suggestive evidence from neurophysiological studies of the possible link between meditation and attention. Apart from the fact that almost all meditative techniques involve manipulation of attention in some form, there is emerging evidence from neuroimaging studies that the prefrontal and frontal areas of the brain are relatively more activated during meditation. Since these areas are associated with attention, it seems likely that meditation practices do indeed involve “increased attentional demand.”

Meditation is a process initiated by focusing attention on an object or mental or body state for a prolonged period resulting in a special state of mind characterized by stability and tranquility, equipoise and quiescence. This process appears to have two important effects.

• First, sustained one-pointed attention would lead to a state of containment/absorption in which one experiences expanded awareness that transcends the limitations imposed by the normal psychobiological processes, an awareness that leads to cognitive excellence and unbiased knowledge. It results in a nonhabitual and unconditioned state of mind, free from distortions and predispositions, which is open to see things the way they truly are.
• The second effect, which is not always appreciated, is that meditative attention seems to lead to a state of the mind where, in addition to cognitive excellence, there is personal transformation made possible by the intrinsic binding of knowing and being in that state. According to classical wisdom, achieving a state of contentless consciousness, i.e., emptying the mind of sensory and cognitive content and making it silent, has the effect of bridging the existential gap between cognition and conduct. Personal transformation is a consequence of this state. In such a state there would be no conflict between beliefs and behavior in the mind.

Thus meditation is a practice involving exercises in focusing attention on a chosen object, mental, or bodily state that results in a special state that has the twin effects of excellence in knowing and being. Such excellence includes

(a) unbiased cognitive awareness,

(b) transcognitive or meta-awareness, and

(c) pure consciousness or awareness as-such. Further,

(d) there is personal transformation which involves closing the gap between knowing and being, and overcoming the dissociation between belief and behavior.