trying to MEDITATE but getting distracted by ringing phone, Barking Dogs & loud speakers Fevicol sey songs ???

Dhyana :

Dhyana, a unique aspect of yoga, offers a serene journey into your inner Self, fostering a sense of calm and wisdom. It's akin to a deep dive into your thoughts and emotions, purifying and clarifying your mind. Through Dhyana, you can transcend your everyday thoughts, connecting with a larger, more magnificent entity, and achieving a heightened state of calm and clarity.

The 7th limb of Ashtanga Yoga, Dhyana, is a gateway to deep meditation and concentration. It aids in quieting the mind, discovering inner peace, and establishing a profound connection with a higher level of consciousness. The practice of Dhyana can lead to a profound sense of unity and oneness within oneself and with the universe, fostering a feeling of deep connection and harmony.

The sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is a fascinating discussion about mastering the mind and improving focus. It delves into various techniques, such as 

👉self-discipline, 

👉meditation, 

👉controlling the senses, 

👉staying concentrated, and 

👉maintaining composure in the face of adversity.

Pratyahara: The Practice of Withdrawing from External Stimuli

1. Withdrawing the Senses from External Objects:   Pratyahara involves turning the senses inward and disconnecting them from external stimuli such as the sight of a beautiful landscape, the sound of a busy street, the taste of a delicious meal, the smell of fresh flowers, and the touch of a warm hand. It also includes distractions like the urge to check your phone, the sound of a TV in the background, or the smell of food cooking. By doing so, one can enhance inner awareness and minimize distractions. 

Example : Imagine yourself preparing for an important test, surrounded by Many distractions. The siren song of the outside world seeps through the window, vibrant colors dance before your eyes, tempting aromas waft through the air, and the tantalizing urge to check your phone ETC. Then, to practice pratyahara, you make a conscious choice to immerse yourself solely in your study material, shutting out the distractions. You gently close the window, plunging the room into a serene stillness, keep away your phone, dim the lights to create a cocoon of calm, and perhaps even wearing noise-cancelling headphones. As you withdraw your senses from the external stimuli, you envelop yourself in a tranquil, undisturbed space, primed for immersive and effective studying.

2. Withdrawing mind from the Senses:   After redirecting the senses inward, the next step is to detach the mind from immediate sensory experiences. This leads to a sharpened mental clarity and focus, allowing you to observe sensations without reacting, and enhancing your cognitive abilities. 

Example : Imagine you are practicing mindfulness , & you suddenly feel an itch on your arm. Instead of immediately scratching the itch, you choose to visualize the itch as a fleeting cloud passing through the blue sky of your mind. You observe and acknowledge the sensation without reacting impulsively. By detaching your mind from the immediate urge to scratch, you can maintain focus on your breath, envisioning it as a calming, rhythmic wave rolling in and out. This practice allows you to develop mental clarity, control over your reactions, and a deeper awareness of your thoughts and sensations, like colorful leaves gently rustling in the gentle breeze of your consciousness.

3. Withdrawing Intellect from the Mind:   This step involves withdrawing the intellect from the fluctuations of the mind, transcending habitual thought patterns, and fostering a state of receptivity and openness. 

Example : Imagine you are faced with a challenging decision at work, and your mind is filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Instead of getting caught up in overthinking or analyzing the situation, you decide to step back and withdraw your intellect from the chaotic thoughts.

Close your eyes and imagine standing in a serene field, surrounded by gentle, swaying blades of grass. Feel the warmth of the sun kissing your skin, and the soft, refreshing breeze brushing against your face. As you take a deep breath, visualize yourself releasing the weight of overthinking and worry, allowing your mind to become calm.

Picture yourself gently stepping back from the tangled web of conflicting thoughts, taking a deep breath, and feeling a sense of relaxation wash over you. As you do, imagine your mind becoming clear and open, like a vast, open sky. Feel free to let go of preconceived notions and biases, allowing your thoughts to float away like delicate, weightless petals on the breeze. Sense the spaciousness within your mind, allowing room for new insights and intuitive understanding to flow like a gentle stream. Welcome the sensation of clarity and wisdom gently making its way through, bringing a sense of calm and assurance. With this newfound clarity, visualize yourself approaching the decision with a sense of peace, openness, and confidence in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.

4. Withdrawing Self from the Intellect:   It involves dissociating the sense of Self or ego from the intellect. This allows one to tap into a higher state of awareness, which is characterized by a profound sense of interconnectedness with the universal consciousness, a state where individual boundaries dissolve and a sense of unity prevails. This 'higher state of awareness' is a state of mind where one feels deeply connected to everything around them, experiencing a sense of unity and oneness. 

Example :immerse yourself in meditation and contemplate your sense of self. Instead of solely identifying with your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, purposefully detach your sense of Self or ego from these aspects. As you deepen your meditation practice, you will notice a shift in perspective—a profound interconnectedness with all living beings and the universe. In this state, you will experience a deep unity and oneness transcending individual boundaries, realizing that you are part of a greater whole. By disengaging your sense of Self from the intellect, you awaken to a heightened state of awareness where the ego fades, and you connect with the universal consciousness.

Meta-cognition is like thinking about your own thinking. Discovering a sense of detachment and introspection allows us to explore your innermost self and uncover profound insights about yourself and your place in the world.the practices of Dhyana and Pratyahara offer profound pathways to inner peace, self-discovery, and mental clarity. By embracing these timeless principles, WE can embark on a transformative journey towards a deeper understanding of the self and the world around us. Through regular practice, we can cultivate a sense of unity, harmony, and heightened consciousness, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life. 

So, take the first step today and begin your journey towards self-discovery and peace through the powerful practices of Dhyana and Pratyahara.