Yoga Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Bhagu F Karbhari
Publisher: Devchand Lalbhai Pustakoddhar Fund

Page 40

MYSTICISM IN INDIA
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Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara the Yogi purifies the inner-self by avoiding the outer distractions. We then come to the sixth stage-Dhāranā or contemplation. It is the fixing of the mind on something external or internal. If internal, it may be the tip of the tongue or the nose or any convenient spot. If external, it may be any suitable image of the deity or a picture or any similar object. Of course it is necessary to bear in mind that any such thing contemplated upon externally or internally should be strictly associated with nothing but holiness and purity. The mind should be able to picture to itself the object even in its absence in all vividness and at an instant's notice.
The next and Seventh stage is Dhyāna or absorption, i.e., the entire fixing of the mind on the object thought of to the extent of making it one with it. In fact the mind should at the time be conscious of itself and the object. Proceed a step further and we come to the eighth stage Samādhi. The absorption is to be carried to the extent of forgetting the act and of becoming the thing thought of. This state of Samādhi implies two distinct states of consciousness unified in one. The first which is trance proper is the forgetting of all idea of the act, and the second the more important factor is the becoming the object thought of. Mere passive trance is a dangerous practice as it leads to the madness of irresponsible mediumship. It is therefore necessary to lay stress upon the second part of the connotation of the term Samādhi. The three stages, contemplation, absorption and trance-Samādhi are in fact the stages of