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CONDUCT
C09 Jain Yoga
In the sixth stage, a person should concentrate the mind either on one external object or one internal idea upon which to meditate. One finds that, in spite of the best of efforts, the mind does not remain glued to a chosen object. The object appears too hazy and there are breaks in concentration. One has to make repeated attempts during Dharana which ultimately lead to emptying or removing all other thoughts.
Dhäranä involves developing and extending our powers of concentration. This is done by directing and controlling our attention and mind-fixing skills, such as concentrating on the Chakras (specific space-points in the body) by turning inwards.
7. Dhyana (Meditation):
The thought removal process (Dharana) naturally leads to meditation (Dhyäna) in the seventh stage. Meditation is an unbroken flow of thought towards an external object or an internal idea.
In Dhyana, the mind attains the ability to sustain its attention without getting distracted. Unlike the other six limbs of yoga, this is not a technique, but rather a state of mind-a delicate state of awareness. This state precedes the final state of Samädhi. When the objective flow of uninterrupted concentration reaches the subjective state, the union of object and subject takes place to transcend to the seventh step, Dhyäna (meditation), at the peak of which is Samädhi.
Meditation (Dhyana) is the process of concentration of the mind on a single topic without wandering. Ächärya Umäsväti has classified the four kinds of meditation.
Non-virtuous Meditation (two types)
If this concentration arises from intense passions like attachment, aversion, hatred, and animosity, then this is not virtuous meditation and it is worthy of rejection.
Ärta Dhyana (Painful or Sorrowful Meditation)
Raudra Dhyana (Wrathful or Enraged Meditation)
Sorrowful and enraged meditations are inauspicious and make the soul wander in the transmigratory state with resultant suffering of innumerable births and deaths.
Virtuous Meditation (two types)
On the other hand, if it arises from the search for the truth and from absolute detachment towards worldly affairs, it is virtuous meditation. It is the cause of spiritual good and liberation, and worthy of acceptance.
Dharma Dhyana (Righteous or Auspicious Meditation)
Shukla Dhyana (Spiritual or Pure Meditation)
Righteous meditation is of an auspicious type. Spiritual meditation occurs at a very high level of spiritual growth of the soul and it ultimately ends in salvation - nirvana of the soul.
8. Samädhi (Total Absorption or Super Conscious State):
To reach Samädhi, peace in body and poise in the mind are prerequisites that are acquired by practicing Äsana and Pränäyama.
Through intense practice, meditation turns into Samadhi. In Samadhi a person is unconscious of everything about oneself. Even the object of meditation melts away but the vision of the object occupies the entire mind. The knowledge of the object becomes complete.
This represents the goal of existence and what all-living beings are moving towards. It transcends time, space, and causation; the three elements present during ordinary, sensory experience. The mind does not bother with those experiences.
The first five steps of the Ashtanga Yoga are only for preparations of the mind for yoga, which is concentration. The last three steps constitute the application of concentration.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 185 of 398
