The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

THE EQUINOX and therefore over the Universe as z¢ affears, though not as yet as zt as. The first lesson in Pratyahara 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 Dharana must be begun. DHARANA Dharané consists in concentrating the 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 Dharana.” “The Steadiness of the mind arising from the recognition of Brahma, wherever it travels or goes, is the real and great Dharana.”* * “Unity of Jiva and Brahman, Srimat Sankaracharya,” paragraph 122. 104