Dharana

Dhāraṇā

Welcome back to my insights on Patañjali’s Eight-Limb Path of Yoga.

It’s important when practicing Patañjali’s Eight-Limbs to start with the foundation. I invite you to read my previous blogs on Patañjali’s Eight-Limbs. 

Previously, we visited the the first and second limbs - Yamas and Niyamas. Then we climbed up to the third and fourth limbs Asana and Pranayama. Last week we were perched atop the fifth-limb, Pratyahara. 

If you have been reading my blogs you’ll notice that I enjoy relating my modern-day life experiences to Patañjali’s ancient teachings.

In this blog we will focus on Patañjali’s sixth-limb 

which is Dhāraṇā. In Sanskrit Dhāraṇā is translated to single point of focus.

To practice Dhāraṇā simply focus on a single word or image. Keep a smooth slow breath while focusing. A single point (drishti point) of focus will help you to keep your mind from wavering. This technique can help bring you to a state of meditation (Dhyana or seventh-limb). 

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When you start with the foundation and work your way up to the six-limb Dhāraṇā it will be easier for you to stay true to that single point of focus. The beauty is you get to decide how long you want to stay there.

For me the longer I can stay focused the calmer my mind becomes. Eventually, I reach the seventh-limb or dhyana (meditation).

There’s always a gift when you move into meditation and then up to the eight-limb (samadhi).

The gifts I receive from my Spirit are different from each one of my meditation experiences.

Dhāraṇā is a practice. Be aware of how your body feels on all levels (Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual) when moving along the Eight-Limb Path.

The following words are an excerpt from

my upcoming memoir, Apple In My Truck *A Pathway To Inner Peace*

’I am forever practicing to improve my skills of awareness. It's soothing to become aware of the calmness which permeates my body.’

Here’s to practicing.

You can learn more about how I found my bliss in Blissville

by reading my newly released fictional story,

dYnO’s DaNcE - on the Eight-Limb Path - 

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Be a Flower,

Share your Beauty <3

Alicia 

Healing Motion 123 (Facebook)

Online Resource for my blog:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhāraṇā