This chapter describes the capacity of the mind which can achieve a state free from distractions. Such a mind can probe deeply into objects and concepts into dimensions previously unknown. This knowledge, or power, can become a source of distraction and can prevent a person from reaching the highest state of being. When we put our whole heart and soul into achieving a goal on our path, gratifying rewards and results incidentally come our way. We can easily become so enamored of what we have accidentally achieved that we mistake it for the goal itself. These are the powers that yoga is said to bestow on a serious practitioner, but they are not to be confused with the true state of yoga.Imagine a young person who wants to be a great actor, a worthwhile goal. On the way he acquires fame, and if he is not steadfast in his purpose, he makes fame alone his new goal. The siddhi, or power, of renown has beguiled him and swallowed him up. In this example, the young man has let himself be side-tracked, has substituted an agreeable and merited by-product of his efforts for the real goal. At best his progress is stopped, at worst he is consumed and illusion has displaced reality.
Verses 1 to 3 Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi – the last three rungs on the ladder of yoga.
Y.S. III.1 Desa bandhah cittasya dharana
Desa - place
bandhah - bound
cittasya - of the mind, consciousness
dharana - concentrationFixing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration.
Y.S. III.2 Tatra pratyaya ekatanara dhyanam
Tatra - there, then
pratyaya - idea, concept
ekatanata - one continuous flow
dhyanam - meditation
A steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region is meditation.
Y.S. III.3 Tadeva arthamatranirbhasath svarupasunyam iva samadih
Tad - that, hence
eva - the same, actually
artha - object
matra - alone, only
nirbhasa - luminous, shining forth
svarupa - own naturesunyam - empty, devoid ofiva - as if, like
samadih - state of enlightenment
Samadhi is when one loses themselves completely and exists only within this point of focus.
To get to these last stages of yoga, you kind of have to start at the beginning. In order to have peace of mind, your conscience has to be free of guilt and worry. The yamas are practices for how to treat others: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non-hoarding. The niymas describe practices for yourself: cleanliness, contentment, effort, self-study and surrender. Asana is the third limb and helps our bodies to be strong and limber, enabling us to sit comfortably. Pranayama is the practice of breath control to help us learn to control our energy , which effects our mental state. Pratyhara is the next stage. It means the withdrawal of the senses. This means that we can sit still and not fidget or keep jumping up to do things. If we can sit still, we might be able to concentrate. If we can concentrate, dharana, we might be able to meditate, dhyana. If we are able to meditate, we might be able to reach the final and highest goal of yoga: samadhi, freedom from disturbance of any sort at any time.