In this series from Dharana to Dhyana, I will be sharing with you techniques of Dharana (techniques of concentration, of contemplation):
Dharana on an Object:
स्थूलरूपस्य भावस्य स्तब्धां दृष्टिं निपात्य च । अचिरेण निराधारं मनः कृत्वा शिवं व्रजेत् ।।
Translation: One should fix the gaze (without blinking) on the complete form of any object. When the mind becomes still and loses all support (free of any other thought or feeling), it instantly attains the state of Shiva (transcendence).
Explanation:
This Dharana makes use of the practice of trataka and is one of the simplest methods, one that anyone can easily practice. Dharana is gradually attained by focusing one's attention on the object until no other thought arises in the mind and only the object remains. At this point there is only the awareness of subject and object — that is, of the meditator and the object of meditation. Perfection of this Dharana brings the sadhaka to the point where subject and object merge and become one. Awareness takes on the form of the object it has focused on. As a result, the mind loses its support or foundation and dissolves. In this mindless state, the sadhaka attains a transcendental state of awareness.
This same general awareness with which one functions in everyday life must ultimately be transformed into awareness of spirit. One must transcend matter and realize spirit. The lowest point of evolution is matter, and the highest is spirit. In every human being this spirit manifests as the physical body, and then lives within it as pure consciousness. However, due to a mistaken understanding — the impurities that arise in the process of manifestation — consciousness loses its identification with spirit and turns its attention toward matter instead. This Dharana uses form to turn awareness back toward the radiance of spirit.
Explanation from the Sri Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, drawn from the teachings of Swami Satyasangananda Saraswati
Piyush Mittal, Nirmala Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda
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Piyush Mittal
· Founder of the InstituteTeacher of Integral Yoga, expert in traditional Ayurveda, and practitioner of Marma point therapy. For years he has combined authentic, source knowledge from India with a modern understanding of health and human development.
