This document discusses various meditation techniques related to the chakras in the Gitananda yoga tradition. It describes dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation) as steps in Patanjali's eightfold path. Specific techniques covered include chakra pranayama (visualizing energy flowing through the chakras while breathing), chakra meditation (focusing awareness on each chakra center), mandala dharana (concentrating on geometric symbols representing each chakra), and mantralaya (repeating bija mantras associated with the chakras). The goal is to use these techniques to experience the chakras as conscious energy centers and achieve deeper meditative states.

1. CHAKRA
DHARANA & DHYANA
IN THE
GITANANDA YOGA TRADITION
YogacharyaYogacharya
Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
ChairmanChairman
International Centre For Yoga Education And ResearchInternational Centre For Yoga Education And Research
(ICYER), Ananda Ashram, South India.(ICYER), Ananda Ashram, South India.
www.icyer.comwww.icyer.com

2.  Fixing the mind on the Supreme withFixing the mind on the Supreme with
devotion and disciplinedevotion and discipline
 Seventh step in Ashtanga Yoga ofSeventh step in Ashtanga Yoga of
PatanjaliPatanjali
 Part of the Antaranga / inner steps ofPart of the Antaranga / inner steps of
Yoga.Yoga.
 Dharana -one pointed concentrationDharana -one pointed concentration
helps us to flow into meditation.helps us to flow into meditation.
DHYANA IS………..

4. Maharishi Patanjali says,Maharishi Patanjali says,
 ““desha bandhah chittasya dharana”” --
concentration is the process of binding theconcentration is the process of binding the
consciousness to a point, place, region orconsciousness to a point, place, region or
object. (a duality between SEER -SEEN).object. (a duality between SEER -SEEN).
 ““ tatra pratyaya ekatanata dhyanam”” --
meditation is a STATE where there is ameditation is a STATE where there is a
steady & continuous flow of attention andsteady & continuous flow of attention and
concentration on a point, place, region orconcentration on a point, place, region or
object. (cessation of duality between SEERobject. (cessation of duality between SEER
and the SEEN).and the SEEN).

6. The final step in the three, free flowing
higher states of consciousness is
SAMADHI
Union with the Divine Nature in the
ULTIMATE
UNIVERSAL
UNIFICATION

7. CHAKRA DHYANACHAKRA DHYANA

8.  We have the gross, subtle and causalWe have the gross, subtle and causal
bodiesbodies
 Our subtle body has 12 major energyOur subtle body has 12 major energy
vortices known as the Dwadashavortices known as the Dwadasha
Chakras.Chakras.
 There are 6 higher Anda (universal)There are 6 higher Anda (universal)
ChakrasChakras
andand
 6 lower Pinda (bodily) Chakras.6 lower Pinda (bodily) Chakras.

10. 7.Sahasrara
8.Narayanana
9.Bramhananda
10.Trikuthi
11.Swaminana
12.Muktana
7.Sahasrara
8.Narayanana
9.Bramhananda
10.Trikuthi
11.Swaminana
12.Muktana

11. They are:They are:
MooladharaMooladhara
SwadhishtanaSwadhishtana
ManipuraManipura
AnahataAnahata
Vishuddha andVishuddha and
AjnaAjna
THE PINDA CHAKRAS OFFER AN
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR
CONTEMPLATION AND MEDITATION

12. Mooladhara ChakraMooladhara Chakra

13. Swadishtana ChakraSwadishtana Chakra

14. Manipura ChakraManipura Chakra

15. Anahata ChakraAnahata Chakra

16. Vishuddha ChakraVishuddha Chakra

17. Ajna ChakraAjna Chakra

18. Sahasrara ChakraSahasrara Chakra

19. SHAT CHAKRA PRANAYAMASHAT CHAKRA PRANAYAMA
 Take up any meditative sitting postureTake up any meditative sitting posture
 While breathing in, visualize Pranic energyWhile breathing in, visualize Pranic energy
rising from the base of your spine up throughrising from the base of your spine up through
the six Chakras situated along the cerebro-the six Chakras situated along the cerebro-
spinal axis.spinal axis.
 While you breathe out visualize the PranaWhile you breathe out visualize the Prana
coming down through the same six Chakras.coming down through the same six Chakras.
 Imagine that your body is a six-storiedImagine that your body is a six-storied
building and the Prana is rising andbuilding and the Prana is rising and
descending on an elevator.descending on an elevator.

21. A held-in and a held-out breathA held-in and a held-out breath
can be added appropriately at thecan be added appropriately at the
“back of the brow” centre, the“back of the brow” centre, the
Ajna Chakra and at the base ofAjna Chakra and at the base of
the spine, the Mooladharathe spine, the Mooladhara
Chakra.Chakra.

22. CHAKRA MEDITATIONCHAKRA MEDITATION
 This meditative sitting is best done facingThis meditative sitting is best done facing
North or EastNorth or East
 A few rounds of deep and consciousA few rounds of deep and conscious
breathing in Shava Asana prior to thisbreathing in Shava Asana prior to this
helps enhance its effect drastically.helps enhance its effect drastically.
 Take up any sitting posture in which youTake up any sitting posture in which you
are absolutely certain that the spine isare absolutely certain that the spine is
yogically erect so that the energy canyogically erect so that the energy can
move upwards in an effortless and smoothmove upwards in an effortless and smooth
manner.manner.

23.  Do some deep Chakra Pranayama.Do some deep Chakra Pranayama.
 As you come up through the Chakras,As you come up through the Chakras,
starting from the base of the spine andstarting from the base of the spine and
through to beyond the top of the head, trythrough to beyond the top of the head, try
to become aware of each of theseto become aware of each of these
centers.centers.
 With practice and inner growth theseWith practice and inner growth these
centres will start to become consciouscentres will start to become conscious
centres filling with light, sound and colour.centres filling with light, sound and colour.
 When the breath is completely filled in andWhen the breath is completely filled in and
you are in the Sahasrara Chakra beyondyou are in the Sahasrara Chakra beyond
the top of the head, hold your breath in athe top of the head, hold your breath in a
Prana Kumbhaka, a held in breath, for aPrana Kumbhaka, a held in breath, for a
lengthy period of time.lengthy period of time.

24.  Slowly let the breath out and keep yourSlowly let the breath out and keep your
concentration in that Thousand Petalledconcentration in that Thousand Petalled
Lotus Chakra.Lotus Chakra.
 Let the breath take on any form that itLet the breath take on any form that it
wishes and simply, hold the idea that youwishes and simply, hold the idea that you
are sitting in the midst of a beautifulare sitting in the midst of a beautiful
Thousand-Petalled Pink Lotus.Thousand-Petalled Pink Lotus.
 Hold that idea as long as you can, repeatingHold that idea as long as you can, repeating
the visualization over and over until athe visualization over and over until a
pleasing sensation of “being suspended”pleasing sensation of “being suspended”
comes about.comes about.

26. MANDALAMANDALA
DHARANADHARANA

27. MANDALA DHARANAMANDALA DHARANA
 Concentration on certain MandalasConcentration on certain Mandalas
 Mandalas - geometric Yantras /forms ofMandalas - geometric Yantras /forms of
Shakti embodied within the ChakrasShakti embodied within the Chakras
 Each Chakra has its own MandalaEach Chakra has its own Mandala
 Associated with specific element orAssociated with specific element or
MahabhutaMahabhuta
 The Mandala or Yantra can be used as aThe Mandala or Yantra can be used as a
form of Dharana or concentration aloneform of Dharana or concentration alone
without entering into the meditative aspectwithout entering into the meditative aspect
as suggested in Laya and Yoga.as suggested in Laya and Yoga.

29. Mooladhara Chakra -Prithvi Mandala-Mooladhara Chakra -Prithvi Mandala-
the Earth Symbol -a Yellow Squarethe Earth Symbol -a Yellow Square

30. Swadhisthana Chakra -Apas Mandala-Swadhisthana Chakra -Apas Mandala-
the Water Symbol -a Silver Crescentthe Water Symbol -a Silver Crescent

31. Manipura Chakra -Tejas Mandala-theManipura Chakra -Tejas Mandala-the
Fire Symbol -an Inverted Red TriangleFire Symbol -an Inverted Red Triangle

32. Anahata Chakra -Vayu Mandala-the AirAnahata Chakra -Vayu Mandala-the Air
Symbol -a blue hexagon made up ofSymbol -a blue hexagon made up of
two Interlaced Trianglestwo Interlaced Triangles

33. Vishuddha Chakra -Akash Mandala-Vishuddha Chakra -Akash Mandala-
the Ether Symbol -a Mauve Ovalthe Ether Symbol -a Mauve Oval

34. Ajna Chakra -Manas Mandala-theAjna Chakra -Manas Mandala-the
Mind Symbol -an Orange CircleMind Symbol -an Orange Circle

35. PROCEDURE FORPROCEDURE FOR
MANDALA DHARANAMANDALA DHARANA
 Sit before an image of the Mandala madeSit before an image of the Mandala made
on a chart.on a chart.
 Keep the image at your eyes level and at aKeep the image at your eyes level and at a
distance of six to eight feet in front of you.distance of six to eight feet in front of you.
 Gaze at the bottom of the chart for aGaze at the bottom of the chart for a
minute.minute.
 Let your mind focus with concentratedLet your mind focus with concentrated
attention.attention.
 Close your eyes and let the after imageClose your eyes and let the after image
develop within your mind’s eye.develop within your mind’s eye.

36.  Open your eyes and gaze at the top of theOpen your eyes and gaze at the top of the
chart for a minute.chart for a minute.
 Be attentive and focused.Be attentive and focused.
 Close your eyes and let the after imageClose your eyes and let the after image
develop within.develop within.
 Open your eyes and gaze at the bottom ofOpen your eyes and gaze at the bottom of
the image for a minute.the image for a minute.
 Don’t let your concentration waverDon’t let your concentration waver
 Close your eyes and let the after imageClose your eyes and let the after image
developdevelop
 Open your eyes and gaze at the top of theOpen your eyes and gaze at the top of the
Mandala for a minuteMandala for a minute

37.  Close your eyes and let the after imageClose your eyes and let the after image
developdevelop
 Open your eyes and gaze at the centre of theOpen your eyes and gaze at the centre of the
Mandala for a minuteMandala for a minute
 Close your eyes and let the after imageClose your eyes and let the after image
develop withindevelop within
 Don’t grasp at the image. Let it come on itsDon’t grasp at the image. Let it come on its
own. Don’t rush or hurry with the practice as itown. Don’t rush or hurry with the practice as it
should be comfortable and done in a relaxedshould be comfortable and done in a relaxed
manner.manner.
 Enjoy the meditative state of mind that can beEnjoy the meditative state of mind that can be
achieved by this practice that takes us into aachieved by this practice that takes us into a
deep inner state.deep inner state.

38. MANTRALAYAMANTRALAYA

39. MANTRALAYAMANTRALAYA
 Mantralaya is the Yogic / TantricMantralaya is the Yogic / Tantric
alphabetalphabet
 Dhara Bijas -Bija mantras for theDhara Bijas -Bija mantras for the
ChakrasChakras
 Dhala Bijas-Bija mantras for the petalsDhala Bijas-Bija mantras for the petals
 Start slow and then make the soundsStart slow and then make the sounds
faster and faster until you are going asfaster and faster until you are going as
fast as possiblefast as possible

40. DHARA BIJA MANTRASDHARA BIJA MANTRAS
 LANG (LANG (~lung)~lung)
 VANG (VANG (~vung)~vung)
 RANG (RANG (~rung)~rung)
 YANG (YANG (~young)~young)
 HANG (HANG (~hung)~hung)
 ANG (ANG (~ang)~ang)
 OMOM
 MOOLADHARAMOOLADHARA
 SWADISHTANASWADISHTANA
 MANIPURAMANIPURA
 ANAHATAANAHATA
 VISHUDDAVISHUDDA
 AJNAAJNA
 SAHASRARASAHASRARA

43. THANTHAN
KK
YOUYOU
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