Nothing happens without making efforts. And no movement can come about without meeting resistance in the way. In a similar vein, no initiative could reach its logical end without facing challenges in the way. Ordinarily challenges are posed by two factors. First, competing interests of others. Second, problems excited by our preconditioned mind, coming as it may as Karmic carryover from the past – inherent habit tendencies and attitudes. Despite this, we wish to negotiate the callings of life with relative ease and comfort. Now, how to achieve this end?
The process calls for first securing mind’s sense of purity. That implies rising over all limitations of mind and emotions and thereby its usual flirtations. Following which, full landscape of mind becomes accessible. Mind then regains its sense of order as mandated by nature, with all its functional coordinates working in support of each other as a unified organism. Consequently, the thought process becomes easy and simple. It needs to be appreciated here that simplicity is clarity, directness, and purity. It is free from complications, clutter, and confusion. Simplicity paves the way to peace of peace of mind, which offers the ground to become better focussed. That makes success and happiness more probable. One would then be in full control of the self when wholesome powers of mind shall be available. Following which, one’s integrated self spontaneously moves in consonance with the callings of larger orderliness of nature. Consequently, one would use mind as an instrument, which it is, rather than playing second fiddle to its vagaries. Mind then comes out with its creative best. Mind, however, could be raised to the above status when one attains the state of “Yoga”. That, in applied terms means unitary mind being fully in tune with the fundamental element of consciousness. Having arrived at this stage, mind begins to spontaneously steer our lives towards the right course due and help turn life into a pleasant experience, individually and collectively. Now, how to go about?
The process suggested by sage Patanjali, the proponent of the concept, is “Dhyana”. Going by its literal meaning, the word Dhyana implies paying attention. To what? It is on none other than one’s own self, which holds the key to how we usually conduct in life. It, in the first place calls for observing and becoming aware of one’s limitations of mind. Second, the workable part of one’s indwelling potential. And finally explore one’s wholesome latent potential, unexplored and untapped thus far out of ignorance, which when unfolded in full would know no limits.
The method involved is to first disengage one’s attention from external distractions, and then look within to explore and scan what lies in store at the various levels of the inner realms of mind. Having become aware thus, consciously deliberate upon and accordingly redefine the thought process, with the intent to come out with one’s best. In English lingua franca, ‘Meditation’, is the word commonly used to give a sense of ‘Dhyana.’ Although, it doesn’t reflect true spirit and essence of “Dhyana”, it however, stands close by. For, the word meditation, seemingly hints at deeply reflecting upon some idea, thought, or concept. Dhyana, on the contrary, is a process directed towards attaining a state of being, when mind gets riveted to the root of all thoughts – the fundamental element of consciousness. It becomes possible only when flirtation of mind is almost contained. Evidently, therefore, mind gets quietened and relaxed when it comes out with its wholesome creative potential. Meditation, of course, remains a necessary part of the process, and so contextually remains relevant.
Dhyana is a time-tested self-empowerment mechanism, which calls for paying attention to the self. The process as such first lets you discover your own nature – the vulnerabilities, the virtues, and attributes, in and out. Following which, one gets the opportunity to address one’s fault lines through fresh educative inputs. In the process, sufficient mind-space gets created by clearing off the clutters, making way for absorption of fresh educative inputs. Second, one is able to identify and acknowledge one’s workable part of indwelling potential, which when honed, augments one’s creative abilities. Finally, one realises true nature of mind, covering both its micro and macro aspects. Following which, body, mind, and consciousness, begin operating in a coordinated way as a unified whole. Mind, thus, comes out with its wholesome powers that would know no limits. Dhyana, therefore, is a holistic programme, in fact a mental therapy, directed towards integrated development of the self from the base level.
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