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 What is one-pointedness?
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kensbikes100

USA
192 Posts

Posted - Oct 22 2016 :  06:38:16 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Get a Link to this Message
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?

Charliedog

1625 Posts

Posted - Oct 22 2016 :  11:40:22 AM  Show Profile  Visit Charliedog's Homepage  Reply with Quote  Get a Link to this Reply
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  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Get a Link to this Reply
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  Show Profile  Visit Charliedog's Homepage  Reply with Quote  Get a Link to this Reply
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  Show Profile  Visit Bodhi Tree's Homepage  Reply with Quote  Get a Link to this Reply
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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