Samyama - Integration of dharana, dhyana and samadhi

Samyama is a sanskrit word that means defining, holding together, integration.

In the context of Patanjali's yoga sutras it is meant to define the integration of concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and absorption (samadhi).

Below are the next few sutras in book three of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.  The definition and explanation of the sutras is from Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by B.K.S. Iyengar.

Y.S. III.4 trayam ekatra samyamah
These three together - dharana, dhyana and samadhi - constitute integration or samyama.

Dharana is one-pointed concentration and brings stability in mind.  As the one-pointedness dissolves and maturity in intelligence is gained dhyana begins.  From here when one-pointedness ends and all-pointedness begins, the consciousness diffuses leading to samadhi.

The intermingling of the mind, intelligence and consciousness is samyama, or integration.

Y.S. III.5 tajjayat prajnalokah
From mastery of samyama comes the light of awareness and insight.

When mastery of integration (samyama) is achieved, the knower comes closer and closer to the known and merging in it, loses his separateness.

Y.S. III.6 tasya bhumisu viniyogah
Samyama  may be applied in various spheres to derive its usefulness.

Here the importance of where one is in their sadhana (practice) is discussed.  If one has not mastered the lower stages, they cannot attain the higher stages, nor can one skip to the intermediate stages.  If each stage is followed in turn, one becomes acquainted with them by degrees and full insight develops.
No-one can expect success or mastery without regular practice, and this sutra warns about jumping to higher stages of practice without first establishing a firm foundation through the primary steps of yoga.

Y.S. III.7 trayam antarangam purvebhyah
These three aspects of yoga are internal, compared to the former five.

This sutra refers to the eight limbs of yoga - yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharanan, dhyana and samadhi.
It says that compared to the first five limbs of yoga the last three are more subtle, internal, intimate and subjective.  The first five deal with the the seen or cognizable sheaths and is called the external quest.  Yama purifies the organs of action, niyama purifies the senses of perception, asana cleanses the physical and organic aspects of the body, pranayama stops wastage of energy and increases stamina and pratyahara cleanses the mind.
Dharana develops and sharpens intelligence, dhyana purifies the consciousness and samadhi leads the consciousness towards the soul.  The last three involve the subtle internal sheaths, the inner quest and directly affect the spiritual path.


So, although there is an external and internal quest, all the limbs of yoga and sheaths of the body must intermingle, as one helps to reach the other.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/