Dharana

(“concentration”) In the ashtanga yoga
(system of religious discipline) first codified by the philosopher Patanjali, dharana is the sixth of the eight elements of
yoga practice. Along with dhyana and
samadhi, dharana is one of the three
parts known as the “inner discipline”
(samyama), the culmination of yogic
training. Dharana is described as steadfastness of mind. It is the ability to focus
on any object, whether a part of the
body or an external object, and to keep
the mind steadily focused there. This is
training for one’s mind and one’s awareness and is an essential prerequisite for
focused meditation.