Sixth Stage of the Eight Limbs of Yoga – Dharana
When the body has been conditioned by Asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of Pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by Pratyahara, the sadhaka (practitioner) reaches the sixth stage called Dharana. Here he is concentrated wholly on a single point or task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled first in order to achieve this state of complete absorption.
Dharana comes from the rot word ‘Dhr’ meaning ‘to hold’. Literally, the word Dharana means ‘immovable concentration of the mind’ or ‘unbending concentration of the mind’. The term Dharana is given to both the practice of deep concentration and the state in which you achieve deep concentration. Ideally, Dharana should be performed at every moment of the day to gain utmost control of both body and mind. The study of Dharana is the study of concentration of the mind.
Dharana can be thought of as a form of meditation called “receptive concentration”. The practice and study of Dharana helps channel thoughts in one specific direction or on one specific thing. With repetitive practice, the sadhaka can reach a high level of awareness in anything that is done, by focusing on every step taken with complete attention and concentration. By being able to deeply contemplate and reflect, one can create the life conditions that one wants. Dharana also helps in the stopping the fluctuations of the mind.
Concentrating attention on one point allows the mind to be stable and calms the disturbance of activity, to which we are used to. The point of concentration in the practice of Dharana can be anywhere within the body or outside the body. For example, one can meditate by holding focus on the picture of AUM placed at eye level, in front. Every time the eyes try to wander away, bring their focus back to the picture and at the same time, repetitively chant the mantra AUM. This is the basic idea and any task or thought or idea can be used as a point of focus, concentration or contemplation in the practice of Dharana.