Concentration Dictionary

Samadhi:

the final stage of ashtanga yoga in which concentration becomes one with the object of concentration; supreme union.

(See also: Samadhi ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Abhyasa-yoga (Sanskrit) (from abhi towards + the verbal root as to be, exist + yoga union from the verbal root yuj to join, yoke)

Sometimes erroneously abhyasana. Repeated practice and application of yoga, meditation, or recollection; the effort of the mind to attain an unmodified condition of perfect serenity and quiet. One of the eight disciplines or requirements of yoga: persistent concentration of attention. When accompanied with physical postures, it is a form of hatha yoga, and practiced without the spiritual training of raja yoga, it has its dangers. As a system of mental concentration directed to impersonal, altruistic ends, it is beneficial.

Krishna (BG 12:9-10) points out that abhyasa-yoga is not only useful for training in one life but, if performed for the sake of the Supreme, is likely to leave permanent helpful impulses in the soul which will aid it in future incarnations and lead it ultimately to union (yoga) with the divine.

(See also: Abhyasa-yoga , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Samadhi

Deep concentration: the state of one-pointedness of mind characterized by peace and imperturbability. Samadhi is also one of the Paramitas and is indispensable on the path to Bodhi.

 (See also: Samadhi , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Dhyana:

Meditation. Dhyan or dhyana is the Sanskrit word for meditation, but it has a narrower meaning. Dhyana is when the concentration is focused on a single point.

(See also: Dhyana , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Dhyana

The practice of concentration--i.e., meditation. Also, more specifically, the four form concentrations and the four formless concentrations.

 (See also: Dhyana , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Eight-fold path

Buddha's teaching of the way of the Middle Path. Right-belief, right-thought, right-speech, right-action, right-livelihood, right-endeavor, right-rememberance, right-meditation/concentration

(See also: Eight-fold path , Body Mind and Soul)

dharana: (Sanskrit) "Concentration." From dri, "to hold." See: meditation, raja yoga, shraddadharana, yoga.

(See also: Dharana , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Eightfold Path

The eight right ways leading to the cessation of sufferings.

(1)  Right View;

(2)   (Right Thought;

(3)  Right Speech;

(4)  Right Action;

(5)  Right Livelihood;

(6)  Right Effort;

(7)  Right Remembrance;

(8)  Right Concentration.

 (See also: Eightfold Path , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Mudra

Mudras are ritual, non verbal hand movements and gestures used in Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies. In Buddhism, mudras are believed to derive from the divine movements of the gods, and that as such they evoke more spiritual meaning than spoken words alone. Mudras are used in rituals and spiritual exercises such as meditation and concentration.

(See also: Mudra , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Iddhi (Pali) (from the verbal root sidh to succeed, attain an objective, reach accomplishment)

Equivalent to the Sanskrit siddhi, used to signify the powers or attributes of perfection: powers of various kinds, spiritual and intellectual as well as astral and physical, acquired through training, discipline, initiation, and individual holiness. In Buddhism it is generally rendered "occult power." There are two classes of iddhis, the higher of which, according to the Digha-Nikaya and other Buddhist works, are eight in number: 1) the power to project mind-made images of oneself; 2) to become invisible; 3) to pass through solid things, such as a wall; 4) to penetrate solid ground as if it were water; 5) to walk on water; 6) to fly through the air; 7) to touch sun and moon; and 8) to ascend into the highest heavens. The same work represents the Buddha as saying:

"It is because I see danger in the practice of these mystic wonders that I loathe and abhor and am ashamed thereof" (1:213) -- a true statement although iddhis are powers of the most desirable kind when pertaining to the higher nature, for they are of spiritual, intellectual, and higher psychical character. It is only when iddhis or siddhis are limited to the meaning of the gross astral psychic attributes that the Buddha properly condemns them as being dangerous always, and to the ambitious and selfish person extremely perilous. Further, it was an offense against the regulations of the Brotherhood (Samgha) for any member to display any powers before the laity.

The bases for the acquirement of the iddhis rested upon four completed steps in training (iddhipada): determination in respect of concentration on purpose, on will, on thoughts, and on investigation.

(See also: Iddhi , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Padmasana (Sanskrit) [from padma lotus + asana seat, posture]

The posture of a lotus; a yoga posture taken to develop concentration and religious meditation.

(See also: Padmasana , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Dharana: The sixth element in the path of classical Yoga, meaning concentration.

 (See also: Dharana , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

bhavana:

bhavana - concentration

(See also: bhavana , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Yoga:

Union of the individual soul and the Supreme Soul; the discipline by which such union is effected. The Yoga system of philosophy, ascribed to Patanjali, deals with the realisation of Truth through concentration of mind.

(See also: Yoga , Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

CONJURE: to work magic, usually by setting up an altar or central concentration point and focusing the mind by chants, mantras or invocations.

(See also: CONJURE , Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

SOUTH, MARY ANNE

Born in England, 1817. By marriage, became Mrs. Mary Anne Atwood. Author of A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery, 1850. This is the book that enlightened Israel Regardie, once he had decided to plough through its opacities until by dint of sheer concentration he should finally fathom the secret of alchemy. No doubt, however, it was Regardie's simultaneous study of Jung's Commentary on the Golden Flower, that provided the key. Mrs. Atwood and her father were dedicated scholars of the occult who got cold feet once A Suggestive Inquiry was published and they tried to prevent its distribution. They felt that its secrets must not be made public.

(See also: SOUTH, MARY ANNE , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

Dharana:

Dharana: concentration.

(See also: Dharana , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

A dictionary Of Commonly Used Sanskrit terms. From A to Crore.

Please note that all words in grey, like "yoga", "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.

tapas: to shine, blaze or converge inner heat. Austerities on the physical level include yoga postures; on the mental level, consistent concentration; on the intellectual level, applying the concentration and thought to a divine ideal.

(See also: tapas , Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Lakshya - Object of concentration.

(See also: Lakshya ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Dyana - Meditation is an unbroken flow of thought toward the object of concentration. Prolonged concentration. In the practice of meditation, a succession of identical waves (thoughts) are raised in the mind; and this is done so quickly that no one wave is allowed to subside before another arises to take its place.

(See also: Dyana , Hinduism, Yoga, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)