Spotlight on Limb 7: Dhyana
Almost to the end of the 8 limbs!
Today we will discuss Limb 7 – dhyana, or meditation. This limb may be a little more familiar to those interested in yoga. You almost can’t go a day anymore without hearing about the benefits of meditation!
Dhyana occurs when we have focused our concentration on something – an action, object, mantra, the present moment, etc. – and we are deeply engrossed in this concentration. Recall Limb 6 – dharana – which is concentrating the mind on a singular point. Once you have achieved this concentration of the mind, you are then able to focus more fully on the chosen object in meditation. Your focus becomes continuous, and sometimes so deep that you think you may have fallen asleep. (Think about a savasana after an intense yoga class, where the 5-10 minutes felt like 10 seconds…yet you were not asleep. That was probably some form of meditation/dhyana.)
For many of us, meditation is incredibly challenging. We realize during the process just how much our mind runs in different directions. We witness the incessant chatter of the mind and grow frustrated that, despite our best efforts, we simply cannot keep it still for too long.
Realize that this is so normal and happens to everyone, no matter how long they have been practicing meditation! Some may experience a longer period of stillness before their mind runs away again, but it almost always happens to all of us. What do you do when that happens? For starters, don’t judge, don’t get angry, don’t give up – just re-focus. In fact, this process of re-focusing when our mind wanders is actually more a part of Limb 6 – dharana, or concentration. Dhyana, or meditation (Limb 7) occurs when we are able to sustain that concentration, without interruption, for longer periods of time.
We commonly think of meditation as sitting cross-legged with the eyes closed, focusing on the breath or a mantra. While this is an extremely effective way to build the discipline to just sit with thoughts (good or bad) as they arise, it is certainly not the only way to meditate. We are meditating whenever we are truly engaged with the activity at hand. In a yoga class, you may be in a meditative state as you’re moving through poses – immersed fully in your breath and movement, without analyzing your movements. You’re just there and moving and being present.
At home, dhyana may look like continuous focus on a hobby that you love – sewing, working on your car, playing with the dog, or organizing the closet (maybe I’m the only person who enjoys this, but you get the point). You stay on task continuously, building up your focus and concentration, and as you continue, you may notice that staying on-task becomes relatively effortless.
Dhyana is an incredible tool to help us focus and connect with our inner compass that guides us when life becomes confusing. It also paves the way toward samadhi, or oneness with the absolute – the 8th and final limb of yoga! Stay tuned!
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