Dharana is the sixth limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, and it marks the beginning of the internal practices of meditation. The word “Dharana” comes from the root dhri, meaning “to hold” or “to support.” In Yoga Sutra 3.1, Patanjali defines it as: “Desha bandhah chittasya dharana” — “Concentration is the binding of the mind to one place.” In practice, Dharana involves choosing a single point of focus—such as the breath, a mantra, a chakra, or a visual symbol like a mandala—and training the mind to stay with it.
This isn’t easy at first—the mind will wander, as it’s been conditioned to scatter. But through patient repetition, the attention becomes steady. Dharana is the first step toward meditation (Dhyana) and ultimately leads to deep absorption (Samadhi). It’s a crucial turning point where the outer work of preparation transforms into direct inner experience. Through Dharana, the mind becomes a powerful tool for insight, clarity, and spiritual realization.
