PRACTICE OF DHARANA(Med 82)

Dharana

Dharana or concentration means holding the mind fixed at one point, at one place, and keeping it held for sufficient length of time. If you are able to withdraw the mind and fix it upon a focal point within, and if you are able to keep the mind fixed like that for a period of 12 mantras, it is counted as one concentration. The yogic time calculation is usually stated in mantras and a mantra may be taken as a second. If you can keep the mind steady without moving, without any contrary thought coming in, and without moving away from the object of concentration for a period of 12 mantras, it is regarded as one dharana. Go on practising dharana so that it becomes longer and longer. By continuous practice, if you are able to keep the mind focussed upon one single point without moving here and there for 144 seconds or a period of 12 dharanas, then this continuous unbroken concentration of mind for 144 seconds without break is termed as dhyana. And 12 continuous, unbroken meditations make one samadhi. There should be only one thought, only one vritti, ekakara vritti. Thus, meditation means continuous concentration of the mind upon one idea to the exclusion of all other ideas. Go on practising until the samadhi itself becomes deeper and deeper, and more and more intense, and the body is not felt. This is yogabhyasa.

Concentration is a question of persisting, persevering endeavour. It does not become fruitful in a day. It is not a process which gives result overnight. It is only when one is perfectly convinced and firm in one’s faith about the ultimate nature of Realisation, that one can go through the hard and dry process of concentration. Together with some negative safeguards which we have to take in order that concentration may become steady and successful, they teach us various methods to make this dry process of concentration as interesting as possible.

Try to think what is most pleasing too you and upon which the mind likes to get fixed spontaneously. Concentration is always pleasant to the bhakta (devotee), because to think of his beloved is pleasant. Whereas, a vedantin has to invoke waves of inspiration, such as: “I am indescribable Bliss, Joy”, he tries to fill himself with that sort of elevation.

It is a question of mental training. Various devices have to be adopted by the seeker – concentrating on sound of Om or a mantra, repeating the mantra - so that at no point the mind stops concentration. If the mind refuses to concentrate, then give up, and read some book or do some kirtan. When the mood comes again, do concentration

Swami Chidananda.

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PRACTICE OF DHARANA(Med 82)

Swami  Chidananda

For successful dharana or concentration two things are necessary: (1) the mind should be subtle; and (2) the mind be pure, or in yogic terminology, the mind must be sattvic – sattva and purity are synonymous. If there

If there are gross sensual thoughts, thoughts of love and anger, jealousy and envy, vengefulness, the mind is gross. If there is always concentration on eating, drinking and enjoying, cinema and radio, then the mind is gross. If the mind is always thinks of objects and worldly things, gossip, scandal and newspaper, then the mind is gross, it is not subtle.

The mind must be sattvic. Only sattvic thoughts sattvic feelings, sattvic ideas must be there in the mind – all should be sattvic. He should carefully avoid anything that is rajasic or tamasic, because a mind influenced by rajas or tamas ceases to be a fit instrument for meditation.

If you do not have dispassion, the mind persists in being attached to various things. The ultimate enemy of concentration is lack of vairagya. Lord Krishna has said: “It is, no doubt, very difficult to control the mind; but it is possible through persistent endeavour, and by being established in vairagya. (Bhagavad-Gita, 6-35). You must give up desires and attachments, and develop dispassion. Vairagya is your safeguard. By unceasing endeavour, you must constantly try to keep yourself established in a perfect state of vairagya, which comes through constant discrimination.

One thing you must try, as much as, possible, is to avoid contacts in your daily life, which make the mind outgoing and stimulate desires. Do not have attachment to anybody. Do not keep contacts with worldly people. Have contacts with holy people, saintly people and true aspirants. Be in place where the scenery is spiritual. Herein comes the need for isolation.

Diet which is sattvic in quality is always the most conductive to Yoga. The daily diet should not be such that will upset your concentration. One common universal cause of diet upsetting concentration is overeating and immoderation. There are some foodstuffs, which cause wind (vayu). Wind upsets the  prana. Prana is thrown out of balance if there is wind in the system. Therefore, sadhaka should take great care. Be careful about the external environment. Make the mind introvert. Concentration is one per cent a question of theory and ninety-nine per cent a question of practice. Abhyasa is the keyword to success in concentration. Daily practice alone will help you.