The Eight Limbs - Quest to the Inner Soul

eightfoldpathphilosophy
Written By Meera Dhawan

This article expands on the last three stages the Eight limbs path of yoga as discussed in Let’s Get Back To Yoga. Samyama is the combined practice of dharana, dhyana & samadhi, the last three stages. These stages guide us to the soul and a true state of bliss. The previous stages, the outward and inner quests, prepare us for deeper meditation.

6. Dharana — concentration

This stage comes after stilling the body & mind and removing distractions. Here, we strive to concentrate fully on a single point with complete engrossment and mindfulness. In meditation this refers to fixing the mind on something external (image or deity) or internal (third eye chakra).

Regular practice of Dharana enhances our ability to be mindful, no matter what we are doing.

So, how do we achieve Dharana? We can practice mindfulness in every moment, on a walk, eating, working or during a conversation. Focus your mind on the object at hand. To train the mind to focus, add meditation to your daily Sadhana after Asana & Pranayama. Sit in Sukhasana (easy pose) and try to focus on the spot between the eyebrows. If you are new to meditation, you can start doing this for 10 minutes and slowly increase the time as you go.

7. Dhyana — meditative absorption

“When oil is poured from one vessel to another, one can observe the steady constant flow. When the flow of concentration is uninterrupted, the state that arises is dhyana (1).”

Dhyana is a meditative absorption achieved from deep mental concentration. In Dhyana, ones mind, body, senses & breath all become one with the object of meditation.

How do we get to Dhyana? This practice takes time to achieve and builds upon the 6 stages mentioned. As we continue to practice the Yamas, Niyamas, pranayama, asana and meditation we will land closer and closer to Dhyana.

8. Samadhi — oneness, integration

And now what we have all been waiting for, our final state of the Eight Limbs. All the stages lead directly to — wait for it — Samadhi! This stage is defined as one of super-consciousness brought by profound meditation. Those who have felt this state describe it as SUPREME BLISS. There are different stages of Samadhi, ranging from a temporary to complete nirvana. Yogananda speaks beautifully on his experience of Samadhi,

“Eternity and I, are one united ray. A tiny bubble of laughter, I Am become the Sea of Mirth Itself.”

And that’s a wrap, thank you for staying with me! The graphic I posted shows both the 8 limbs, and principals we learned as a reference. For those brand new to the 8 limbs of yoga , you might be wondering where to start. Not to worry, my recommendation would be to start a daily Sadhana practice that includes techniques discussed such as pranayama, asana, meditation, self-study and reflections on the Yamas & Niyamas. Check out What is a Sadhana Practice, A Guide to Starting a Sadhana Practice & Reflections on my Sadhana Practice to get on your merry way to liberation :)

I hope you find the ease from suffering that you deserve from this vast practice, which so many before us have sacrificed to give us today.

Meera Dhawan
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