Microsoft Word - Taimni - The Science of Yoga.doc

Let us now come to the particular stage of concentration dealt with in this Su-
tra. In Dharana as this first stage is called, the mind is confined within a limited
sphere defined by the object which is being concentrated upon. The phrase Desa-
Bandha means confinement within a territory which allows a limited freedom of
movement. The mind is interned, as it were, within the limited mental territory and has
to be brought back immediately if it strays out. The reason why a limited freedom of
movement is possible when the mind is being concentrated upon a particular object
will be seen if we remember that every object has innumerable aspects and the mind
can consider these aspects only one by one. So that, while it takes up one aspect after
another it is moving and yet really fixed on the object of concentration. Or it may be
that the object may involve a process of reasoning consisting of many steps connected
logically with each other and forming an integrated whole. Here also there can be
movement without really leaving the object of concentration. It is only when the mind
gets out of touch with the object and an unconnected and irrelevant object enters it that
Dharana may be considered to be broken. The main work in Dharana therefore con-
sists in keeping the mind continuously engaged in the consideration of the object and
to bring it back immediately as soon as the connection is broken. The objective which
the Sadhaka should place before himself is to reduce progressively the frequency of
such interruptions and to eliminate them completely ultimately. But it is not only the
elimination of interruptions which has to be aimed at but complete focussing of the
mind on the object. Vague and blurred impressions should be replaced by sharply de-
fined mental images by increasing the degree of alertness and power of attention. So,
the condition of the mind during the period when it is engaged with the object is as
important as the frequency of the interruptions which break the connection. But as the
nature of this stage of concentration is generally understood we need not elaborate this
point further.