Patanjali’s Teachings on True Meditation
Dhyāna in the Yoga Sutras: Patanjali’s Teachings on True Meditation
Image: Meditation as depicted in yogic traditions — the still mind reflecting cosmic light
📜 Introduction: What Is Dhyāna?
In the Yoga Sutras of Maharshi Patanjali, Dhyāna (ध्यान) — commonly translated as meditation — is the seventh limb of the Ashtanga Yoga system, a central method in achieving liberation (Kaivalya).
While modern meditation often focuses on relaxation, Patanjali reveals a more sacred and precise purpose:
To quiet the fluctuations of the mind so the Self can shine forth.
🪔 The Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga)
To truly understand Dhyāna, we must see it as part of this progressive journey:
- Yama – Ethical restraints
- Niyama – Personal disciplines
- Āsana – Steady posture
- Prāṇāyāma – Breath control
- Pratyāhāra – Withdrawal of senses
- Dhāraṇā – Concentration
- Dhyāna – Meditation
- Samādhi – Absorption / Enlightenment
Dhyāna blossoms after Dhāraṇā, and leads into Samādhi.
🧘 What Is Dhyāna? (Yoga Sutra 3.2)
Sanskrit:
“तत्र प्रत्ययैकतानता ध्यानम्॥२॥”
Transliteration:
“Tatra pratyayaikatānatā dhyānam.”
🔍 Translation:
“The uninterrupted flow of the mind toward one object is meditation (Dhyāna).”
🕉️ Commentary:
- Dhyāna is not just silence — it is a one-pointed, continuous awareness.
- The mind no longer jumps between thoughts (chitta-vrittis).
- The object of meditation could be the breath, a mantra, the inner Self, or the Divine Form.
- Unlike Dhāraṇā (which is effortful focus), Dhyāna is effortless flow — like oil poured from one vessel to another: unbroken and smooth.
🧠 From Concentration to Meditation to Samādhi
Sutra 3.1 — Dhāraṇā (Concentration)
“देशबन्धश्चित्तस्य धारणा॥१॥”
“Fixing the mind on one place is Dhāraṇā.”
This is the first step, where we try to hold our attention on one object.
Sutra 3.2 — Dhyāna (Meditation)
“Tatra pratyayaikatānatā dhyānam.”
Here, the holding becomes natural. Like a river flowing toward the sea, the mind flows toward the object without interruption.
Sutra 3.3 — Samādhi (Absorption)
“तदेवार्थमात्रनिर्भासं स्वरूपशून्यमिव समाधिः॥३॥”
“When only the object shines in the mind, and the mind loses its own identity, that is Samādhi.”
This is the state of merging, where meditator, object, and meditation become one.
🔮 The Essence of Dhyāna in Practice
| Aspect | Dhāraṇā | Dhyāna | Samādhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Effortful focus | Continuous flow | Complete absorption |
| Involves | Trying | Being | Dissolving |
| Mind’s Role | Holds object | Becomes silent | Disappears |
| Goal | Stabilize attention | Sustain attention | Transcend ego/mind |
🪶 Related Sutras and Meanings
📖 Sutra 1.2 – Yoga’s Definition
“योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः॥२॥”
“Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.”
Meditation is the method for this stilling. Without Dhyāna, Yoga cannot be achieved.
📖 Sutra 2.11 – Controlling Mind Patterns
“ध्यानहेयास्तद्वृत्तयः॥११॥”
“Their (mental patterns’) removal is by meditation.”
This shows how meditation purifies mental impressions (samskāras), aiding liberation.
🔱 Dhyāna and the Inner Journey: Three Transformations
- Self-Purification (Chitta Shuddhi)
– Meditation reduces attachment, fear, anger, and ego. - Self-Knowledge (Atma Jñāna)
– Through deep awareness, the Self begins to reveal itself. - Liberation (Kaivalya)
– The highest goal: freedom from suffering and identification with the body-mind.
“तस्य सप्तधा प्रान्तभूमिः प्रज्ञा॥ Yoga Sutra 2.27”
“Through sustained meditation, wisdom unfolds in seven stages until liberation.”
🌼 Beginner’s Insight: How to Enter Dhyāna (Even for 2 Minutes)
- Sit Steady (Āsana)
- Breathe Deep (Prāṇāyāma)
- Withdraw Senses (Pratyāhāra)
- Fix the Mind on One Object (Dhāraṇā)
- Let the Focus Flow Naturally (Dhyāna)
Even 2 minutes of real Dhyāna is more transformative than 30 minutes of wandering thoughts.
🧘♀️ Suggested Practice
Daily Dhyāna (5–10 minutes):
- Focus: Silent chanting of Om, visualizing a flame in the heart, or breathing awareness
- Posture: Sukhasana or Padmasana
- Time: Early morning or sunset
- Attitude: Sākṣī bhāva – the inner witness
🔚 Final Thoughts: Meditation Is the Gateway to the Infinite
Dhyāna is not escape — it is encounter. It is the sacred act of remembering who we truly are:
Not body. Not mind. Not name or role. But pure awareness, unchanging, eternal.
“ध्यानमूलं गुरुर्मूर्तिः पूजामूलं गुरुर्पदम्।
मन्त्रमूलं गुरुर्वाक्यं मोक्षमूलं गुरुकृपा॥”
“The root of meditation is the form of the Guru.
The root of worship is the feet of the Guru.
The root of mantra is the word of the Guru.
The root of liberation is the grace of the Guru.”
📸 Suggested Visuals for Sanatana Decode
- A subtle chakra mandala with Dhyāna as the 7th ring
- Patanjali sitting with a serpent hood, holding a palm leaf scroll
- Illustration of Dhāraṇā → Dhyāna → Samādhi as a lotus blooming in stages