Meditation has always held a central role in yoga. While the Western scientific approach to meditation stresses the health and wellness benefits of meditation, yoga has traditionally seen meditation in a spiritual context. Yoga regards meditation a discipline for mind control. Its ultimate aim is ‘samadhi’ (oneness or enlightenment).
Patanjali and the Eight Limbs of Yoga
The author of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali, described ‘dhyana’ (meditation) as the seventh of eight limbs of yoga. The eight limbs are:
1) yama (abstinence)
2) niyama (observance)
3) asana (posture)
4) pranayama (breath control)
5) pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses)
6) dharana (concentration)
7) dhyana (meditation)
8) samadhi (super-consciousness)
Yama and Niyama: Restraints and Observances
The first limb, ‘yama’, consists of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and freedom from greed. The second limb, ‘niyama’, is defined as purity, contentment, non-violence, study of spiritual scriptures and surrender to God.
Asana and Pranayama
The third limb is called ‘asana’ (posture) which Patanjali explains as a steady, comfortable posture (“sthira sukham asanam”, yoga sutras 2.46).
Next comes ‘pranayama’, control of the breath or life force. This may either mean breathing exercises or simply observing the breath. During meditation, breathing should be gentle, effortless and slow which helps to keep the mind serene and still.
Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the Senses
Then follows ‘pratyahara’, withdrawing the senses from the external world. This step is essential as a mind that is not withdrawn from the world of the smells, sounds or sensations will be unable to concentrate on the internal process of meditation. We can assist this withdrawal by choosing a quiet time and place for meditation.
Dharana - Concentration
Next comes ‘dharana’, concentration, which is an essential step in yogic meditation. ‘Dharana’ literally means holding or binding the mind onto the object of meditation. Concentration is a precondition for attaining the state of meditation. However, the mind shouldn’t be strained as this will only create tension. Concentration should be clear and effortless. It cannot be forced, but will come naturally with practice.
Dhyana - Meditation
When concentration becomes steady and effortless, there will be a natural transition into the state of ‘dhyana’ or meditation. This is a state of heightened inner awareness and clarity of mind.
Samadhi – Absorption
The ultimate aim of yoga meditation is ‘samadhi’, which is the culmination of meditation. In ‘samadhi’, the mind gets completely absorbed in the object of meditation and the triad of knower, knowledge and known disappears into one pure consciousness.
Grades of Samadhi
In his yoga sutras, Patanjali described different grades of ‘samadhi’ and described their various powers and effects. He mentions ‘asamprajnata samadhi’ (also called ‘nirbija samadhi’) as the highest form of samadhi. This samadhi may be regarded as equivalent to other Vedantic concepts such as ‘nirvikalpa samadhi’, ‘nirvana’ and ‘moksha’ (liberation). It is a state of oneness, in which one’s personal identity is transcended and the soul is merged in super-conscious union with the ultimate Reality or God (ishvara). Since yoga means union, the attainment of samadhi can be described as the very goal of yoga.
