the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

104
THE EQUINOX
and therefore over the universe as it appears, though not as
yet as it is.
The first lesson in Pratyâhâra is to sit still and let the mind
run on, until it is realized what the mind is doing, when it will
be understood how to control it. Then it will find that the
thoughts which at first bubbled up one over the other,
become less and less numerous; but in their place will spring
up the thoughts which are normally sub-conscious. As these
arise the Will of the aspirant should strangle them; thus, if a
picture is seen, the aspirant by means of his will should seize
hold of it before it can escape him, endow it with an
objectivity, after which he should destroy it, as if it were a
living creature, and have done with it. After this mastership
over the senses has been attained to, the next practice namely
that of Dhâranâ must be begun.
DHÂRANÂ
Dhâranâ consists in concentrating he will on one definite
object or point. Sometimes it is practised by concentrating on
external objects such as a rose, cross, triangle, winged-globe,
etc. sometimes on a deity, Shiva, Isis, Christ or Buddha; but
usually in India by forcing the mind to feel certain parts of the
body to the exclusion of others, such as a point in the centre of
the heart, or a lotus of light in the brain.
“When the Chitta, or mind stuff, is confined and limited to
a certain place, this is called Dhâranâ.”
“The Steadiness of the mind arising from the recognition
of Brahma, wherever it travels or goes, is the real and great
Dhâranâ.”*
* “Unity of Jîva and Brahman, Srimat Sânkarâchârya,” paragraph 122.