Dharana
Dharana is the sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. The word 'Dharana'
simply means 'unbending concentration of mind'. Working with
complete focus and concentration is something that satisfies every
individual at the maximum. Each of us, feel a sense of frustration,
when we are not able to focus. The inability to focus may be because
our minds were racing with ideas, judgments, worries, songs, or even
memories. The main idea underlying Dharana, is the ability to focus
on something (uninterrupted both by external or internal
distractions).
Dharana is a form of meditation that can be called receptive
concentration. With the help of Dharana, a set of conditions are
created that helps the mind focus in one direction and object,
rather than concentrating in many directions, thereby diverting 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.
Benefits Of Dharana
Dharana aims at setting up the mind, by focusing it upon some stable
entity. One good method to start it is by rolling the eyes upward
and downward, in one direction to get the concentration. Any object
selected for practicing has no role to play in the meditation
process. The object is only used to stop the mind from wandering -
through memories, dreams, or reflective thought - by intentionally
holding it obsessively upon some static object. This ability is a
movement toward perception of its true nature and not an escape from
reality.
Dharana helps in channeling one's thoughts on a certain thing. It
makes sure that you reach a level of awareness in anything you do,
by focusing on every step you take. Dharana can bring richness to
one's life. With the help of deep contemplation and reflection, one
can create the right conditions. Dharana works with the objective to
achieve the mental state, where the mind, intellect, and ego are
controlled. The mind becomes purified by the practices. It becomes
able to focus efficiently on one subject or point of experience.
Dharana also helps in the cessation of fluctuations in the mind.
The practice of Dharana, at the time, when you are struggling with
anger, restlessness or expectation would help in balancing those
struggles. Dharana is the practice of training the mind, to
concentrate and focus, in such a way, that we can possibly avoid
frustrations. Concentrating our 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 can be anywhere within our
body or outside. Therefore, maintaining a fixed and focused
concentration, throughout the practice, gives consistency and
clarity to the thoughts.
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