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kensbikes100
USA
192 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 22 2016 : 06:38:16 AM
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The term came up in a discussion with my Iyengar teacher, regarding meditation. But since it was after class and we both had to go, we did not get to clarity together.
Can anyone here try to explain it? |
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Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2016 : 11:40:22 AM
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Hi Kensbikes,
One-pointedness also called Dharana is nr. 6 on the path of Patanjali is the development of concentration or awareness to one point, an object. For instance the mantra or the breath. When we start meditating we notice it's not easy to stay concentrated, we wander off in our thoughts.
By practicing we develop one-pointedness, we can stay with the breath or the mantra. We need Dharana to take the next step, Dhyana, which is meditation without object, were are not aware of the object.
When we notice that we are not aware we come easily back to the mantra of breath. We go deeper and deeper. Sorry for simplicity of words. 
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kensbikes100
USA
192 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2016 : 8:56:43 PM
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Thank you , Charliedog! Simple, clear answers are always appreciated!
I guess that when doing DM the AYEM is the "object."
And in some other forms of meditation an inspiring saying or a brief sutra would be the object. |
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Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2016 : 03:07:33 AM
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Hi kensbikes,
Yes, although dharana is not really about the object, it's the practice itself, like Yogani often says, when we notice we are not aware of the mantra, we come back and easily favor the mantra.
Only if we developed dharana we are capable to do Samyama practice.
Samyama is dharana (one-pointedness) and dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (oneness ) in one practice. The mind becomes our servant in stillness.
Eight limbs of Patanjali,
1 Yama
2 Niyama
3 Asana
4 Pranayama
5 Pratyahara
6 Dharana
7 Dhyana
8 Samadhi
Best wishes  |
Edited by - Charliedog on Oct 23 2016 03:41:29 AM |
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Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2016 : 10:14:20 AM
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| Just to clarify on the sound of the object, it's not AYEM. It's AY [as in the word "eyeball"] and AM [as in the word family]. |
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What is one-pointedness?
