“In the Yoga Sūtra,
Āsana is basically something linked to Prāṇāyāma,
since Prāṇāyāma is a very important practice there,
linked to Dhāraṇā.”
– TKV Desikachar commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 46

“As Prāṇāyāma dissolves the covering of the light,
fitness of the mind for concentration arises.”
– Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 53

“Dhāraṇā is the process of ‘holding onto’ the object.
Dhyānā is the process of ‘linking with’ the object.
Samādhi is the process of ‘integration into’ the object.”
Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter 3 verses 1-3

“Dhyānam is the seventh Aṅga of the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga.
In order to experience Dhyānam, the sixth step,
Dhāraṇā, should have been practiced thoroughly.”
– T Krishnamacharya on Dhyānam

“Dhāraṇā is when we create a condition so that the mind,
going in a hundred different directions,
is directed to one point.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Eleven Page 154

“Dhāraṇā is the contact.
Dhyāna is the communication.
Further, when we become so involved in an object that our mind completely merges with it,
that is called Samādhi.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Eleven Page 155

“Āsana and Prāṇāyāma can, according to the Yoga Sūtra,
create a condition where the mind is fit for Dhāraṇā.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Eleven Page 156

“The fourth way the mind functions is called Ekāgratā.
Here clarity has come about
and we have direction and are able to proceed.
What we want to do is much clearer
and distractions hardly matter.
This is also called Dhāraṇā which was explained earlier.
Yoga is actually the beginning of Ekāgratā.
Yoga suggest means to create conditions that gradually
move the Kṣipta level of mind towards Ekāgratā.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga
‘The Way the Mind Functions and the Concept of Nirodha’
Chapter Eighteen Page 251

“Unless there is a shift from Manas to Citta,
it is not possible to do Dhāraṇā.”
– TKV Desikachar 1998

“Perhaps the best explanation of Dhyāna is given by Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verses One and Two, where he states that one must first fix the question (Dhāraṇā) and then link to it (Dhyāna).
One who is not able to fix the question is not able to succeed in Dhyāna.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988

“To hold something exclusively for a length of time is Dhāraṇā.”
– Notes from my studies of the Dhyānamālika with TKV Desikachar in Chennai 30th December 2000

“Prāṇāyāma leads to this. Pratyāhāra,
to see without the senses distracting or pulling the mind,
and Dhāraṇā, to see without the mind losing itself,
because of colouring or expectations.
Dhyānam arises out of this.”
– TKV Desikachar

“Dhāraṇā –
To see without the mind losing itself,
because of colouring or expectations.”
– TKV Desikachar

“Desikachar taught me that there were eight steps in the process of learning the teachings.

• Upadeśa – To come near to the teachings and remain
• Śravaṇa – To listen to the teachings with an open ear
• Grahaṇa – To seize hold of or grasp onto the teachings
• Dhāraṇā – To concentrate on memorising the teachings
• Manana – To carefully reflect on the teachings
• Anuṣṭhāna – To live with and put the teachings into practice
• Anubhāvana – To have some experiences from following the teachings
• Pracāra – To share and apply the teachings with others

Namely the process of coming near to, listening to, grasping, memorizing, reflecting, applying, experiencing and sharing the teachings.”

“Prāṇāyāma is the key to the door of Dhāraṇā.”

“Dhāraṇā – a state of effortful attention.
Dhyānam – a state of effortless attention.”

Links to Related Posts:

Though there are many different aspects to formal ‘home’ practice……

One example of this depth is Krishnamacharya’s lesser known work in the teaching of Mantra……

The breadth, depth and potential of Desikachar’s teachings on practice……