Patanjali Yoga Sutras 3.1: desa bandhas cittasya dharana — "Concentration is the binding of the mind to one place."
Dharana, the sixth limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, is the practice of concentration—training the mind to rest on a single point without distraction. This is the first of the inward-facing limbs, and it lays the foundation for deeper meditative absorption. Common methods include focusing on the breath, a mantra, or a visual object. One traditional and effective technique is Trataka—a concentration practice involving steady gazing at a fixed point, often a candle flame placed at eye level. The gaze remains still, unblinking, until the eyes naturally close, allowing the mental image of the flame to remain as the internal focus.
While Patanjali doesn’t name Trataka specifically, the principle is the same: choosing a steady anchor for attention and training the mind to return to it again and again. Commentators like Vyasa emphasize the importance of selecting an object that is clear and easy for the mind to grasp, particularly in the early stages of practice. Dharana isn’t about stopping thoughts entirely, but gently reclaiming the mind from distraction. With regular practice, the interruptions lessen, and attention flows more smoothly. This focused awareness becomes the gateway to deeper states of meditation and insight.
