Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 2 - The Eight Components of Yoga
61 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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62
The multiplicity of the mental waves gives place to
unity and one wave only is left in the mind. This is Dhyana,
meditation (Vivekananda, p. 100).
Fixing of the mind on the lotus of the heart, or
on the centre of the head is called Dharana. Limited to
one spot making that spot, the base, a particular kind of
mental waves rise; these are not swallowed up by other kinde
of waves, but by degrees become prominent, while all the
others recede and finally disappear (Vivekananda, pp. 99-100).
Swami Vivekananda explained Dharna. Dharana is holding
mind to certain points, that is, Forcing the mind to feel
certain parts of the body to the expulsion of others.
For instance, try to feel parts of the body only the
hand, to the expulsion of other parts of the body.
When the chitta or mind-stuff, is confined and
limited to a certain place it is Dharana.
The Dharana is of various sorts, and alongwith it,
it is better to have a little play of inagination. For
instance, the mind should be made to think of one point in
the heart. That is very difficult; and easier way is to
imagine a lotus there. The lotus is full of light, effulgent
light. Put the mind there, or think of the lotus in the
brain as full of light, or of the different centres in the
sushumna mentioned before.
