Forrest's Library

Understanding Dharana and Dhyana proper

Summary

, 15 min

Why dharana and dhyana cannot be skipped in Patanjali's eightfold path: they are internal processes, not optional steps. Walks through asana, pranayama as life force control rather than breath control, and pratyahara as interiorization into the spine, then dharana, dhyana and samadhi as near-simultaneous stages of merging with the light in the spine.

In this video

Teaches
DhyanaEight limbs of yogaPratyaharaDharana
Discusses
PranayamaPatanjaliSamadhiVedic mode of learningSamyama
Mentions
Hong-SauOM techniqueKriya YogaYama-NiyamaMeditation postureStages of sense reversal

Key moments

00:02A meditation book claims dharana and dhyana can be skipped01:04The steps are internal processes, like blood circulating02:51Casual meditation vs meditation proper04:08Sitting to meditate is asana plus a pranayama technique05:05Pranayama is life force control, not breath control05:42Walking the steps: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara06:30Story: palpable peace at the Bonaventure Hotel, still body conscious07:34Interiorization: no longer sensing the body or breath08:14Dharana: one-pointed concentration without body consciousness09:10Dhyana: turning that concentration onto the light in the spine10:17Samadhi: merging with the light, deeper and deeper11:00India's verbal tradition preserved Patanjali's science12:05Recap of the steps from asana to samadhi13:12Samyama: the last three happen almost simultaneously14:01Closing: study the eightfold path to meditate deeply