ध्यान
Dhyāna
Meditation (dhyāna) is the seventh limb of Patañjali's aṣṭāṅga yoga and the natural culmination of haṭha yoga. Here are presented traditional techniques that lead from concentration (dhāraṇā) toward absorption (samādhi).
Dhāraṇā → Dhyāna → Samādhi
The Yoga Sūtras (3.1-3) define a natural progression:
- Dhāraṇā — Fixing the mind on a point. There is effort; attention escapes and is brought back.
- Dhyāna — Continuous flow of attention. Effort diminishes; the mind stays.
- Samādhi — Complete absorption. The distinction between observer and observed disappears.
Patañjali (YS 3.2): "The continuous flow of cognition toward that object is dhyāna."
Absorption techniques
Conscious relaxation techniques
Mantra techniques
Observation techniques
States of consciousness
Tantric techniques
Trāṭaka as dhāraṇā
Trāṭaka (steady gaze) is traditionally classified as ṣaṭkarma (purification), but it is also a concentration practice (dhāraṇā) that naturally leads to dhyāna. It is the bridge between physical and meditative practices.
See Trāṭaka in Ṣaṭkarma →⚠️ Practice notes
- Preparation: Deep meditation requires physical (āsana) and energetic (prāṇāyāma) stability. Without this foundation, the mind agitates.
- Regularity: Better 15 minutes daily than one sporadic hour. Consistency builds the neurological habit.
- Guided practices: Yoga Nidrā and Tattva Śuddhi require direct instruction or recordings from qualified teachers.
- Expectations: Samādhi is not a goal to conquer. It arises when efforts to reach it cease.
Context in haṭha yoga
The Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā (4.1) declares:
"Salutations to Śiva, who taught haṭha yoga as a stairway to the heights of rāja yoga."
Haṭha yoga (āsana, prāṇāyāma, mudrā, bandha) prepares body-mind. Rāja yoga (dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi) is the natural fruit of that preparation.