Dhyana (Meditation)

 

  The word dhyana is derived from the root dhi, meaning "intellect". Meditation involves the channeling of intellect, or mind, to one point. Dhyana is a continuous succession of identical thoughts directed toward one object which happens so quickly that before one subsides another (same thought) takes its place.

  Dhyana is distinguished from dharana (concentration) only by its uninterrupted nature. In scriptures the difference between concentration and meditation is described as the difference between pouring water and pouring oil: both streams fall toward one place, but water falls in a "broken" stream of drops whereas the stream of oil is smooth, constant, unbroken.

 

        "All sadhanas or methods
         are for simply trickeing
         the mind. The trick is to not
         the mind spread out in
         a form of thoughts." - Baba Hari Dass

 

Continue (Samadhi)

 

The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga

Yama	Niyama	Asana
Pranayama	Pratyahara	Dharana
Dhyana	Samadhi