Patanjali Yoga Sutra - III - 9



Vyuthana Nirodha Samskarayorabhibhavapradurbhavau Nirodhakshanacchittanvayo Nirodha Parinamaha||

व्युत्थाननिरोधसम्स्करयोरभिभावप्रादुर्भावौ निरोधाक्षनाच्चित्थान्वयो  निरोधपरिणामः 

The mind is fundamentally energy. It performs two types of actions - Vyuthana and Nirodha. Vedanta explains these two qualities of the mind as the Vikshepa and Avarana shakti of maya. Nirodha is like drawing   a circumference and Vyuthana is to project and throw thoughts, words and actions from the centre. The job of the circumference is like a fielder in cricket who prevents the ball from crossing the boundary. In a constant process of projecting from the centre and compressing from the circumference, the mind is transformed into a steady state of Nirodha or stillness. Another example - you have seen people at home or in hotels making dough for rotis - the flour is the mind and water is the vyuthana shakti. It is used in the motion of mixing, churning and rotating the flour evenly. Around the vessel, one hand keeps pushing all the dry flour into the watery content. At the end of this process, the flour and water join well to form a steady dough. That is Nirodha. Samskara means a constant and conscious action that creates a positive transformation of the object on which it is applied and in this case, it is the mind. It attains the primary requirement of a steady and controlled state if it has to be applied for any useful venture.
- SS.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - III - 8

तदआपि बहिरंगम निर्बीजस्य
Even that is without

Even the earlier three states of concentration, meditation and merging with the object of meditation - Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are only an outward act when compared to Nirbeeja Samadhi - the absorbtion of the mind into a seedless state or a space in awareness where the seeds of thought even cease to exist, except the thought of "I Am," Seeds can survive only a little below the surface to have a possibility of sprouting.
- S.S.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - III VI

Trayam Antarangam Purvebhyaha

The three paths of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are classified as inner Sadhana.
We see many things in this world, made of names and forms. They create reactions in our mind too. So the names, forms and reactions, ultimately leave corresponding impressions in the chittam or the sub-conscious storehouse of memories. The impressions totally belong to us, though they have come from without.
It is a totally internal sadhana to meditate upon the self within upon which these impressions are super-imposed, just as a movie is projected on a white screen.
Dharana is steady concentration on the self. Dhyana is a contemplative meditation which is much more relaxed and softer than Dharana. Samadhi is a total absorbption in that self. All these are happening within the individual's mind and hence together, they become an antaranga sadhana. In short, you can practice these three and no one will ever know!
- Swahilya Shambhavi.