Dhāranā & Dhyāna - The Sixth & Seventh Limbs of the Eight Limbs of Yoga
Dhāranā
3.1 Deśabandhaśchittasya dhāranā
Dhyāna
3.2 Tatra Pratyayaikatānatā Dhyānam
The sixth and seventh limbs of the Eight Limbs of Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga are dhāranā and dhyāna, 3.1 Deśabandhaśchittasya dhāranā and 3.2 Tatra pratyayaikatānatā dhyānam. When translated dhāranā and dhyāna mean, “The mind has reached the ability to be directed when direction toward a chosen object is possible in spite of many other objects within the reach of the individual” and “Once the direction of the mind is fixed, a link develops between the mind’s activities and the chosen object.”
We have finally reached chapter three of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, and as I noted in my previous blog post on the Eight Limbs, the first five limbs are in chapter two of the Yoga Sūtras, and the last three are in chapter three — this is extremely significant!
The first five limbs are practices we have some immediate capability, or power, to do. For example, the yamas, social restraints, are decisions and actions we can practice immediately, like non-harming (ahimsa) and appropriate relationships (brahmachayra), which will bring more peace and balance within our social circles. The niyamas (personal observances), are actions we can take daily to care for our bodies, minds, and surroundings which help keep our systems balanced and healthy. It’s the same with asana (posture): You may not be in a balanced state when you first step on the mat, but something usually shifts after you start practicing postures, and the ability to become more balanced and focused is achievable. The same principles apply with pranayama (breath control) and pratyahara (sense withdrawal); we have some level of control over doing them effectively.
However, to practice the last three limbs effectively, we need to already be balanced or sattvic (in a state of Yoga) to some extent. Practicing dhāranā (concentration), dhyānam (meditation), and hopefully samādhi (liberation or absorption) all require a very deep level of focus. Being in a state of Yoga from the start is necessary to help us direct our minds, otherwise it’s not going to happen no matter how hard we try. This is why the last three limbs are located in chapter three, called Vibhūtipāda (Contemplation): , which means that once you’ve practiced and procured a state of Yoga, the ability for profound contemplation and deep meditation is possible.
In other words, the first five limbs set you up for better success with the last three limbs, and they are not mutually exclusive.
After applying and practicing the first five limbs for some time — and you are more frequently in a state of Yoga — your ability to focus improves, setting you up for dhāranā and dhyāna.
Dhāranā is commonly referred to as concentration. It is defined as keeping the attention in one place, or actively holding. Dhāranā is essentially practice for meditation.
Most of the time when we say we are “meditating,” by definition we are actually concentrating — not yet meditating.
With dhāranā, we choose an object upon which to focus or concentrate, (for example, the flame of a candle). We sit, close our eyes, and envision this flame. As we actively hold this flame in our mind’s eye, we are still aware of our surroundings — we can hear the lawn mower outside, smell the flowers on the table, feel the pet that sat next to us — but we don’t become distracted by the world around us. We are locking in on our object of focus.
Then if we can actively hold our object of focus for some period of time, something else may happen, and there can become a deeper stage of interaction with the object — this is called dhyānam.
Dhyānam is meditation. TKV Desikachar describes it as when “the mental activities form an uninterrupted flow only in relation to this object.” It is more than simply looking at or envisioning the object. There is some insight happening and some fresh perspective has arrived.
It is important to understand that dhyānam (meditation) is active. It is not a nothingness. New insight and perspective leads to some realization.
When there’s a shift from dhāranā to dhyāna, there is a qualitative difference in our relationship with the object. Dhāranā (concentration) involves some effort, a consciousness to stay connected to the object of focus while still being aware of the environment around us. Dhyāna is being fully locked in on the object. Instead of being aware of all the different things in the room, there is only the candle and me — this is dhāranā and dhyāna.
A note for context: My perspective is based in the Viniyoga/Desikachar lineage. Viniyoga is a traditional Indian lineage of Yoga taught by TKV Desikachar, who was the son of Krishnamacharya. My teacher, Chase Bossart, was a 20+ year private student of Mr. Desikachar. I have studied this text with Chase, word for Sanskrit word, consistently for the past four years.
Stay tuned to learn more about the rest of the Eight Limbs in my upcoming blog articles.
Namaste,
Kelly