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Various Forms of Dhyāna (Concentration)
Without formless or subtle meditation, it is impossible to attain the inner light. You must first get yourself out of darkness. How can this be possible? Pratyahara—bringing the mind back—is followed by dharana, sustaining the focus of the mind for small periods. At first this will only be for a very short time. Pratyahara involves the repeated practice of bringing the wandering mind to a focus. Through diligent practice of pratyahara we become able to focus on the object of meditation for little stretches of time. This is dharana.
When dharana is continuous for extended periods, the state of dhyāna (complete focus) becomes possible. However, merely focusing on a physical form or name is not the only type of dhyāna. Dhyana is also emptiness of mind.
As it is said in the Jnana Sankalni Tantra:
Dhyāna, focus on only the physical forms, is not the only dhyāna. The focus of the empty mind is known (focus in empty mind) as dhyāna. By the grace of this [focus) meditation, one undoubtedly attains Moksha.
In essence, the mind when becomes empty of all thoughts is the state of dhyāna.
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