Dhyana - a meditative state of being
Learn more about this limb in Esther’s talk, which you can watch for free here.
Concentration and contemplation
Although Dhyana sounds and seems similar to Dharana (the preceding limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga), it is subtly different. While Dharana teaches us a one-pointed focus, encouraging us to concentrate all of our attention onto the breath, or a sound, or a visualisation, Dhyana brings about keen awareness without the focus.
So while Dharana requires us to concentrate on one object, Dhyana teaches us to observe it without judgement, without attachment - instead contemplating it in all its colours and forms in a profound, abstract state of meditation.
Judith Lasater uses a beautiful analogy of rain to make the distinction between concentration (Dharana) and contemplation or meditation (Dhyana). Distinct raindrops represent intermittent moments of focused attention (Dharana). However, when these individual raindrops fall to earth and merge they create a river which represents Dhyana, an uninterrupted flow:
The separate raindrops merge into one continuous flow, just as individual moments of Dharana merge into the uninterrupted focus of meditation. In English, we often use the word “meditate” to mean “to think,” but in yoga, meditation is not thinking; instead, it is a deep sense of unity with an object or activity.
Blurring the line
Therefore, instead of meditation being something you actively DO, it becomes a state of being. The line between what you’re doing (breathing / repeating a mantra / using a light visualisation) becomes blurred and the separation between you and whatever it is you’re focusing on disappears.
Just as the word ‘yoga’ means to 'yoke' or ‘union with,’ the practice of ‘true’ meditation - the state that’s reached where you forget that you’re ‘meditating’ - during Dhyana our thoughts, emotions and desires subside and our state of doing merges with our state of being…. The subject and object become one.
More on the Eight Limbs of Yoga...
- Guided program: for a good grasp of each of the eight limbs through informative talks, yoga, Pranayama and meditation, YogaEasy members can follow our Eight Limbs of Yoga program.
- Further reading: The Eight Limbs of Yogas explained.
Photo by YUCAR FotoGrafik
Kirsty is from the UK and moved to the Netherlands to work for EkhartYoga (now YogaEasy) in 2015. She's an E-RYT 500hr trained yoga teacher and has completed many courses in meditation, anatomy, mindfulness and Yoga Nidra. Kirsty previously worked in publishing, graphic design and recruitment. Her role as Content Lead at YogaEasy includes content writing, program creation, and teacher relations. She is currently studying for a Masters in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes.