Dhyana - Meditation

Yoga Sutra III.2 defines meditation as a steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region.  "The difference between dharana and dhyana is that dharana is more concerned with the elimination of fluctuating thought waves in order to achieve single-pointed concentration; in dhyana, the emphasis is on the maintenance of steady and profound contemplative observation."

I heard once that meditation cannot be taught, the way sleep cannot be taught. You can set the environment and advice a state of mind, provide various techniques, but 'sleep itself is not in anyone's hands. One falls into it.  In the same way, meditation comes by itself.'  Later on, I will provide some meditation techniques.  First, let's look at some common obstacles to meditation so you can start to prepare for it. (I will discuss all of these in more detail as we progress)

Physical Obstacles

• Aimless Wandering
• Cessation of Practice
• Health and Diet
• Laziness and Sleep
• Complications of Daily Life
• Useless Conversation
• Self-Justification
• Lack of Spiritual Preceptor

Mental Obstacles

  *mental health is very important when practicing dhyana as meditation will amplify ones emotions

• Anger
• Depression
• Doubt
• Memory, or Recalling Past Events
• Fear
• Greed
• Hatred
• Loss of Vital Energy

Everyone faces these obstacles, but when taken on as a challenge to overcome the path towards meditation can be profoundly enlightening.