Eight Limbs of Yoga Studies: DHYANA

We have explored the first 6th limbs... 1. Yamas (outer ethical codes) 2. Niyamas (the the inner, personal ethical practices) 3. Asana (postures) 4. Pranayama (breath control) 5. Pratyahara (withdraw of senses) 6. Dharana (Mindfulness) & today, the 7th limb... ⁠
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♥️Dhyana♥️ ⁠
(Meditation)⁠⁠
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Nischala Joy Devi described dhyana as ‘the continuous inward flow of consciousness’. ⁠
What I love about this description is that it points to the continuous flow. ⁠
When I was learning about yoga and meditation I remember saying 'I could never meditate because my mind is too busy'. ⁠Ummmmm... That is exactly why mediation is helpful! ⁠
Everyone's mind is naturally busy. ⁠By practicing meditation, we befriend ourselves by being a witness to our ever changing thoughts, feelings, sensations and, instead, just notice. ⁠And then sometime the noticing fades away and there are moments of just being.
⁠Just being.
Being in the gap.
The gap between thoughts.
The gap that often feels elusive and yet is available through practice....

Practice being the keyword  as with each of the eight limbs of yoga. ⁠Practice invites us to show up each day with no memory of the past, no goal for the future, just a commitment to being here, just as we are, in the present moment. ⁠Meditation does not require you to sit on the floor cross legged with your eyes closed. That is only one way you might choose to practice. ⁠
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Join me in a practice of a 9-minute mediation:⁠ click here
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Also, Julie & Anne, have beautiful practices available on Simple Habit, a Free App!⁠ So grateful to have Julie & Anne as part of our facutly ⁠
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Reflective prompt: ⁠
How can you support yourself in expanding your practice of dhyana?⁠
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♥️ Dr. Melissa⁠ Jay