Yoga Philosophy & Sanskrit · definition
The sixth limb of Patanjali's Eight Limbs, referring to concentration or sustained attention on a chosen object or point.
How the term is used
Dharana is often described as the deliberate training of attention that precedes deeper meditation.
Why it matters
It helps explain why concentration and meditation are related but not identical.
Read the guide Yoga Beyond the Poses: A Guide to Yoga Philosophy for Everyday Life
Where this comes up
Where this fits in a practice
The guides explain the idea in context; the service pathways are there when reading is not enough. Educational content only — nothing here is medical or mental-health care.