Dhāraṇā
From Theosopedia
Sanskrit for the act of retaining, maintaining, preserving in memory, etc. (from the root dhr, hold, carry, preserve, etc.). It is the sixth “limb” (anga) of the Rāja Yoga system of Patañjali (see Yoga Sutras 3.1, 4.1-2) and in that context implies a profound concentration of consciousness (CITTA) on a single idea or object. Dhāranā, thus, is a necessary discipline to prepare the mind for deep meditation (dhyana). In JAINISM, dharana is the stage at which knowledge of an object creates a lasting impression.
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