Dharana Darshan-Yogic,Tantric and Upanishadic Practices of Concentration and Visualization

The Bijar School of Yoga has released a series of books of consistently high quality on teachings of yoga and Tantra, and this book is no different. This book deals with dharana, which is one of the eight limbs of the yoga of Pantanjali and ashtanga yoga. As the author Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati explains, of all the steps of yoga, dharana is perhaps the most important, because the steps below are concerned mainly with the regulation of the conduct of the yogi, while dharana is the first step to train the concentration of the yogi and is the stepping stone to the higher states of mind, towards samadhi, that seemingly unobtainable state of bliss.The book consists of a series of exercises designed to improve and increase the powers of concentration. The exercises may be used for any specific purpose the reader may have in mind. They may be used to improve the individual's abilities to concentrate and focus, or, for a higher purpose towards self-awareness and self-realization.Dharana Darsan is not only a how-to book of concentration exercises, but in each chapter provides a brief review of yogic and Tantric philosophy. Each exercise begins with an explanation of the purpose of the exercise, what is seeks to achieve, and its doctrinal and scriptural background. The tone of the book is conversational, and provides a step-by-step approach to each exercise, guiding the reader during the exercises, slowly and methodically. For all intents and purposes, these exercises appear to be verbatim transcriptions of guided visualizations.The exercises taken and used at any level but are arraigned in the book according to difficulty and according to the degree to which the aspirant wishes to attain higher levels of consciousness. These are the exercises discussed:Kaya Sthairyam. This is where the meditator holds the body steady, the Swami recommends for a half hour, before concentrating on the object of meditation.Chakra Shuddhi. This is where the meditator concentrates on the chakras, one after another, in sequence or in succession.Ajapa Dharana: Here, the concentration of the incoming and outflowing breath is coordinated with the internal concentration of a mantra. The book contains exercises which incorporate the prana and apana throughout the subtle body; there are rotations between the frontal and spinal areas using Ujjayi breath and khechari, an exercise designed to stimulate the pineal gland near the anja chakra, rotations of the Arohan and Awarohan, and rotations with the Pingala and the Ida and Susumna. Of particular note is that there are exercises designed to free up the Granthis. Granthis are three psychic blocks located in the subtle body. They are frequently mentioned in yogic texts, but rarely elaborated. Dharana Darshan devotes several pages explaining what granthis are, their effect, and many exercises designed to free up the granthis.Trataka: The unwavering concentration of an external object, usually a candlelight flame, or, really, anything.Bahyaksah Dharana. This is where the meditator concentrates on space, as in the outer space surrounding earth.Antaraksha Dharana. In this exercise of dharana, the meditator concentrates on the macrocosm, the space located in the atmosphere, in Vedic terms, mid-earth, and the inner space of the meditator's mind, corresponding with the incoming and outgoing breath, one after another, in sequence or in succession.Chidakasha Dharana. Chidakasha is the region around the frontal lobe in front of the anja chakra and is described as the "mind screen." For some people, after they close their eyes, colors are seen, for some blackness, for others a combination of the two. The Swami describes guided visualizations which mange the chidakasha. He provides careful recommendations on how to interpret these figures.Anja Dharana. In anja dharana the meditator develops the anja chakra, and the Swami describes exercises to locate and develop the bindu, the gateway to realization.Hridayakasha Dharana. These exercises develop the heart-space in the anahata chackra.Daharasha Dharana. The exercises in this portion of the book are designed to properly interpret and evaluate the teachings learned during the exercises in Hridayakasha dharana.Laya Dharana. Laya is Vedic for "total dissolution," and in this portion of the book exercises are described to simulate the dissolution of the physical body.Vyoma Panchaka Dharana. These exercises are designed to train and develop vyoma, the highest state of consciousness, and brhat, its synonym, signifying the vastness of this highest state of consciousness.Nadanusandhana Dharana. These are dharanas intended to tune the meditator to nada, the primaeval sound of the universe.It would be tempting to use this book as a substitute for finding a guru to guide the reader in these exercises. While the guidance of a guru is the optimum choice for using these exercises, it I impracticable if to impossible for the busy lives we all lead. The good news is that with diligent study, the exercises are flexible enough for any purpose, with a guru or not. This is an invaluable resource to any yogic regime.As a personal note, these exercises have assisted this reviewer to improve those powers of concentration lost after he started taking medication to treat his diagnosed Restless Leg Syndrom. These exercises really work.

It is amazing that the Bihar School of Yoga is so generous to share this material with the world. I am profoundly grateful to own this book. If you are serious about elevating your meditation, look no further. For the wise, the chapters on Ajapa Japa are incredibly profound and powerful.

Dharana Darshan is the best cut and dry method to achieving concentration and subtle perception. Best worked through slowly. Goes great in conjunction w/ other books from the Bihar School of Yoga.

This is one of my recent favorite books. If you like recipe books on spiritual development and concentration techniques, this is the book to have. I have been looking for was to stimulate the optic nerve in hopes of regenerating mine to combat LHON an eye disease. The verdicts not in on whether I can accomplish that, but the book was a surprise, as it fits into my past and present study of higher consciousness and enhanced awareness of mind, body, and spirit.

Pretty heavy reading. Something best studied with an illumined sage or guru..., if you can find one.

Great book. No need to be an expert hatha yoga artist to follow! You can do most of these, sitting with a straight back on a stool. It helps you to open up and cleanse you subtle body. Remember, before you manage to open up your middle chanel (susumna) you are still lost in the illusion(s) of your thinking consciousness.(Hint: when your are breathing out of both of your nostrils at the same time your middle chanel is active). The other great lessons I am following is "Yogani's" Advanced yoga practices(Not advanced as in "pretzeling").

It's Awesome book that I am still trying to understand completely but surely has a lot to interest me and I get absorbed while I am reading this book. Reading it second time around.

This Book is perfect detailed knowledge on its subject!!

First chapter grabbed my attention

Very well explain different exercise of meditation

A most excellent book on Dharana, reccommended to anyone on the path of yoge or interested in mediattion, plus lots, lots more.

Extremely well written and arranged. Very detailed instructions for practice.