What does "Dharana" refer to in the context of yoga?

Dharana is a term in yoga that specifically refers to the practice of focused awareness on a single object. In the framework of yoga philosophy, particularly in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, dharana is one of the eight limbs of yoga, and it emphasizes the development of concentration. This practice involves directing the mind’s attention towards a single point, which could be a physical object, a sound, a breath, or even a thought.

By cultivating this singular focus, practitioners can train the mind to become less distracted and more present, which is an essential step towards achieving deeper states of meditation (dhyana) and ultimately samadhi, or blissful absorption. Therefore, understanding dharana as focused awareness underscores its significance in progressing in one’s yoga practice.