Concentration (Dhran)

Compiled by: Trisha Lamb

Last Revised: April 27, 2006

International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) 2005

International Association of Yoga Therapists

P.O. Box 2513 Prescott AZ 86302 Phone: 928-541-0004
E-mail: mail@iayt.org URL: www.iayt.org

The contents of this bibliography do not provide medical advice and should not be so interpreted. Before beginning any
exercise program, see your physician for clearance.
Baier, Karl. Dharana in asana. From the article Iyengar & the yoga tradition, part 2.
Yoga & Health, Oct 1997, p. 31.

Bhat, Vasanthi. Concentration. In Vasanthi Bhat, The Power of Conscious Breathing in

Hatha Yoga. San Jose, Calif.: Vasanthi Bhat, 1997, p. 220.

The Buddhist Lodge. Concentration and Meditation: A Manual of Mind Development.

Westminster, England: The Buddhist Lodge, 1935.

Contents: The importance of right motive, Self-development or service, Meditation and

prayer, The nature of self, The power of thought, Preliminary observations,
Concentration, Exercises in concentration, Lower meditation, Objects of meditation,
Character building, The culture of the emotions, Higher meditation, The raising of
consciousness, The doctrine of the act, The jhanas, Zen meditation, Contemplation, Ways
to the One, Conclusion, Notes on group meditation, Subjects for meditation

Carter, O. L., D. E. Presti, C. Callistemon, Y. Ungerer, G. B. Liu, and J. D.

Pettigrew. Meditation alters perceptual rivalry in Tibetan Buddhist monks. Current
Biology, 7 Jun 2005, 15:R412-R413.

From EurekAlert!, 6 Jun 2005: In an unusual but fruitful collaboration between Tibetan
Buddhist monks and neuroscientists, researchers have uncove red clues to how mental
statesand their underlying neural mechanismscan impact conscious visual
experience. In their study, reported in the June 7 issue of Current Biology, the researchers
found evidence that the skills developed by Tibetan Buddhist monks in their practice of a
certain type of meditation can strongly influence their experience of a phenomenon,
termed perceptual rivalry, that deals with attention and consciousness.

The work is reported by Olivia Carter and Jack Pettigrew of the University of
Queensland, Australia, and colleagues at the University of Queensland and the University
of California, Berkeley.

Perceptual rivalry arises normally when two different images are presented to each eye,
and it is manifested as a fluctuationtypically, over the course of secondsin the
dominant image that is consciously perceived. The neural events underlying perceptual
rivalry are not well understood but are thought to involve brain mechanisms that regulate
attention and conscious awareness.

Some previous work had suggested that skilled meditation can alter certain aspects of the
brains neural activity, though the significance of such changes in terms of actually
understanding brain function remains unclear.

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To gain insight into how visual perception is regulated within the brain, researchers in the
new study chose to investigate the extent to which certain types of trained meditative
practice can influence the conscious experience of visual perceptual rivalry.

With the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 76 Tibetan Buddhist monks
participated in the study, which was carried out at or near their mountain retreats in the
Himalaya, Zanskar, and Ladakhi Ranges of India. The monks possessed meditative
training ranging from 5 to 54 years; among the group were three retreatist meditators,
each with at least 20 years of experience in isolated retreats.

The researchers tested the experience of visual rivalry by monks during the practice of
two types of meditation: a compassion-oriented meditation, described as a
contemplation of suffering within the world combined with an emanation of loving
kindness, and one-point meditation, described as the maintained focus of attention on a
single object or thought, a focus that leads to a stability and clarity of mind.

Whereas no observable change in the rate of visual switching during rivalry was seen
in monks practicing compassion meditation, major increases in the durations of
perceptual dominance were experienced by monks practicing one-point meditation.
Within this group, three monks, including two of the retreatists, reported complete visual
stability during the entire five- minute meditation period. Increases in duration of
perceptual dominance were also seen in monks after a period of one-point meditation.

In a different test of perceptual rivalry, in this case prior to any meditation, the duration
of stable perception experienced by monks averaged 4.1 seconds, compared to 2.6
seconds for meditation-nave control subjects. Remarkably, when instructed to actively
maintain the duration, one of the retreatist monks could maintain a constant visual
perception during this test for 723 seconds.

The findings suggest that processes particularly associated with one-point meditation
perhaps involving intense attentional focus and the ability to stabilize the mind
contribute to the prolonged rivalry dominance experienced by the monks. The researchers
conclude from their study that individuals trained in meditatio n can considerably alter the
normal fluctuations in conscious state that are induced by perceptual rivalry and suggest
that, in combination with previous work, the new findings support the idea that
perceptual rivalry can be modulated by high- level, top-down neural influences.

Christensen, Alice. [Concentration]. Easy Does It Yoga: A Complete Fitness Program

for Those Challenged by Age, Illness, Injury, or Inactivity. New York: Simon & Schuster,
1999, pp. 57, 60, 102, 103, 131, 132.

Coulter-Parker, Nancy. Find your focus: Learning to balance in a variety of challenging

yoga poses can help you reach new and improved levels of concentration. Yoga Journal,
Jan/Feb 2003, pp. 67-69.

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Dostalek, C., et al. Jogick koncentracn cvicen v obraze EEG a EMG [Yogic
concentration exercises as reflected in EEG and EMG]. 15th mexioborov konf. o exper.
o klin. vzk. vy, nerv. funkc, Mar. Lzne, 1978, pp. 1-10. [In Czechoslovakian.]

Farhi, Donna. Concentration: Building mind stamina. In Donna Farhi, The Breathing
Book. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1996, p. 212.

Ghanananda, Swami. The yoga concentration. In Monks of the Ramakrishna Order,

Meditation. Mylapore, Madras, India: Sri Ramakrishna Math, [n.d.].

Goyeche, J. R. M. EEG activity during the yoga concentration and auditory feedback: A
review and case study. Fuki Univ Dept Educ Bulletin, 1975, 4:25.

___________, and Y. Ikemi. Two concentration methods: A preliminary comparison.

Psychologia, 1972, 15:110-111.

Gupta, R. C. Concentration and meditation : An integral view. Yoga Awareness, Jan

1978, II(1):37-43.

Hopkins, J. T., and L. J. Hopkins. A study of yoga and concentration. Academic

Therapy, 1979, 14(3):341-345.

Joshi, Dimple. Email: joshid@unbc.ca

Her thesis topic at UNBC was Yoga and its effects on improving childrens
concentration. Contacted IAYT 11/8/01.

Khalsa, Dharma Singh, with Cameron Stauth. Brain Longevity: Regenerate Your
Concentration, Energy, and Learning Ability for a Lifetime of Peak Mental Performance.
New York: Warner Books, 1997. (See Yoga and meditation sections.)

Krishnananda, Swami. Dharana or concentration. In Swami Krishnananda, The Yoga

System. Shivanandanagar, India: The Divine Life Society, 1992, pp. 82-93.

Kriyananda, Goswami. Concentration (dharana). In Goswami Kriyananda, The Spiritual

Science of Kriya Yoga. Chicago: The Temple of Kriya Yoga, 1976, 2002, pp. 254-269.

Krishnananda, Swami. Dharana or concentration. In Swami Krishnananda, The Yoga

System. Shivanandanagar, India: The Divine Life Society, 1992, pp. 82-93.

Kriyananda, Goswami. Concentration (dharana). In Goswami Kriyananda, The Spiritual

Science of Kriya Yoga. Chicago: The Temple of Kriya Yoga, 1976, 2002, pp. 254-269.

Lerner, M. Recientes investigaciones medicas sobre yoga estados concentrativos. Acta

Psiquiatr Psicol Amer Lat, 1975, 21:56-62. [In Spanish.]

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Leung, Paul. Comparative effects of training in external and internal concentration on
two counseling behaviors. In D. H. Shapiro, and R. N. Walsh, eds., Meditation: Classic
and Contemporary Perspectives. New York: Aldine Publishing, 1984, pp. 188-195.

Levy, Joel and Michelle. The Fine Arts of Relaxation, Concentration, and Meditation.
Wisdom Publications, 2001.

Maharshi Vinod Research Foundation. Effect of training in Ashtanga Yoga on

attention, numerical memory, concentration and reaction time in youth. Yoga-Mimamsa,
1986.

Mandlik, Vishwas V., and Ramesh Varkhede. Effect of Omkar chanting on

concentration, memory and level of fatigue. In H. R. Nagendra, R. Ragarathna, and S.
Telles, Yoga Research & Applications: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference
on Frontiers in Yoga Research and Applications. Bangalore, Vivekananda Kendra Yoga
Research Foundation, 2000, pp. 269-272. Article available online:
http://www.yogapoint.com/info/research.htm#.

Mehta, Silva, Mira Mehta, and Shyam Mehta. Concentration, lack of. In Silva, Mira,
and Shyam Mehta, Yoga: The Iyengar Way. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992, p. 185.

Mumford, Jonn. Chakra dharana. In Jonn Mumford, Psychosomatic Yoga. New York:
Samuel Weiser, 1974, pp. 46-53.

___________. Concentration. In Jonn Mumford, Psychosomatic Yoga. New York:

Samuel Weiser, 1974, pp. 30-36.

Niranjanananda Saraswati, Swami. Dharana Darshan. Monger, Bihar, India: Bihar

School of Yoga.

Dharana Darshan includes classic meditation practices derived from the Upanishads, the
Tantras and other traditional yogic texts. The core of the book is Swami
Niranjananandas adaptation of the complex upanishadic akasha (space) dharanas for
modern practitioners, including chidakasha, hridayakasha, daharakasha and vyoma
panchaka dharanas, along with advanced stages of the classic ajapa japa and trataka
practices. Also included is an introduction explaining the theory and purpose of
concentration, psychic symbol, visualisation, and the obstacles commonly encountered by
practitioners. This book is designed for those already familiar with the fundamentals of
meditation and have a degree of mastery in the pratyahara (sensory withdrawal)
practices.

Paramananda, Swami. Concentration and Meditation. 7th ed. Cohasset, Mass.: The
Vedanta Center and La Crescenta, Calif.: Ananda Ashram, 1974.

Contents: Concentration, Key to concentration, Power of concentration, Meditation, Aids

to meditation, Superconscious vision, The groundwork of thought, Practical hints

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Pasek, T. Cwiszenia relaksowo-koncentrujace jogi [Relaxation and concentration
exercises of yoga]. Rekreacja fizyczna, 19073, 16(138). [In Polish.]

___________. Relaxation-concentration investigations and training according to the yoga

model in Poland. In Collected Papers on Yoga. Lonavla, India: Kaivalyadhama, 1975, pp.
37-40.

___________, et al. Problems of the influence of relaxation-concentration exercises

according to yoga on resistivity. Wych Fiz I Sport, 1971, 4:141.

Rama, Swami. A few glimpses of concentration. In Swami Rama, Lectures on Yoga. 6th
ed. Honesdale, Pa.: The Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and
Philosophy, 1979, pp. 107-118.

Romanowski, W., ed. Teoria i Metodyka Cwiczen Relaksowo-Koncentrujacych [Theory

and Praxis of Relaxation and Concentration]. Warsaw, 1975. [In Polish.]

___________, and T. Pasek. Tentative introduction of relaxation-concentration

gymnastics according to the yoga system as supplementary exercises in physical
education. Paper presented at conference of Med Facult Poznan Acad Med, Poznan,
1971.

___________. Experiment in introducing relaxation-concentration yoga exercises as

supplementary exercises to the program of physical education. In Proceedings Poznan
Acad Med, Poznan, 1971.

Sabel, B. A. Transcendental Meditation and concentration ability. Perceptual and Motor

Skills, 1980, 50(3, part 1):799-802.

Sadhu, Mouni. Concentration: A Guide to Mental Mastery. No. Hollywood, Calif.:

Melvin Powers/Wilshire Book Co., 1959.

This book was written to bridge the gap between the many existing theoretical works on
mental concentration and meditation, and the general application of the minds powers to
everyday life. [The author] teaches concentration by showing the use and results of it . . .
After a careful explanation of the role of concentration in a spiritual search and some
helpful advice on proper approach, the author introduces exercises in concentration. He
offers material from both Western and Eastern sources, relating the achievements of early
Christian saints and Indian yogis to their mastery of mental powers.

Contents: Foreword and definitions, The method, The use of concentration, The role of
concentration in a spiritual search, Who is qualified to study concentration?, Conditions
for success, Advice to the student, Eastern methods of yoga (mind before heart), The
Western tradition (heart before mind), Obstacles and aids, Inner attitudethe key to
attainment, What is the mind?, Different aspects of consciousness, The psychology of
success, Direct preparation for exercises, First series (elementary exercises), Second

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series, Third series (advanced exercises), Fourth series, Fifth series (final exercises), On
the threshold of meditation, Resurrection into a new consciousness

Satyadharma Saraswa ti, Swami. From pratyahara to dharana. Yoga (Sivananda Math),
Sep 1999, 10(5):36-42. Also in Yoga (Australia edition), Feb 1999.

___________. Antar mouna. Yoga (Sivananda Math), Feb 2005, pp. 7-15.

When you concentrate and try to unify the vagrant tendencies of your ind, sometimes
you feel strain. Because of that strain, you get a headache or some other complaint.
Therefore, while pratising concentration, you have to evolve a method by which there
may be no strain . . .

Shah, J. T. Lack of concentration. In J. T. Shah, Therapeutic Yoga. Mumbai, India:

Vakils, Feffer and Simons, 1999, pp. xviii, 10-11, 38-41, 52-61, 64-65, 98-99, 102-103.

Sinha, Phulgenda. Concentration. In Phulgenda Sinha, Yoga: Meaning, Values and

Practice. Bombay: Jaico Publishing Ho use, 1990, pp. 15-32.

Sivananda, Swami. Concentration. In Swami Sivananda, Bliss Divine. Article available

online: http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/teachings/concentration.htm.

Sivananda Yoga Veda. Concentration. Yoga & Health, Oct 2003, pp. 3-5

Stokes, Mike. Part 7: Dharana: The circle. Yogitimes, Apr 2004, p. 20

Wood, Ernest. Concentration: A Practical Course. Chicago: The Theosophical Press,

1925.

Contents: Success in life, The magic box, Aids to concentration, Chains of gold,
Concentration in daily life, Control of the body and senses, The removal of intruding
thoughts, Gymnastics of concentration, What meditation is, Methods of meditation,
Mantric and symbolic meditation, Obstacles to meditation, Contemplation, Conclusion

___________. Concentration, an Approach to Meditation. Adyar, Madras, India:

Theosophical Publishing, 1949.

Yoga to improve performance in schools. New Kerala, 21 Jun 2004.

Yoga, says the Madhya Pradesh government, is the magic pill that will improve the
dismal performance of students in its schools.

The state will introduce yoga in government-run schools in the new academic session to
improve the concentration of students.

The pass percentage of high school students in Madhya Pradesh board this year was

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dismally low, with over 70 percent of 660,794 students who took the examination failing.

Alarmed over the poor result, Minister of State for School Education Anup Mishra
called a meeting of his officials to discuss the reasons for the poor results and find ways
of tackling the problem.

Mishra and his officials reached the conclusion that lack of concentration among school
students was the major reason for the poor pass percentage.

They felt only yoga could improve concentration among students, and decided to
introduce yoga in schools.

Yoga would be made compulsory at all government schools from Class 5 to Class 12
but for the time being it will not be added to the school curricula, said an official of the
education department while talking to IANS.

Later private schools would also be asked to introduce yoga, added the official.

But the stumbling block before the government at present is the lack of teachers trained
in yoga. So the government intends to train teachers in yoga first.

The training of teachers will be complete by October or November this year. Then we
can have at least one teacher in every government school, said the official.