Patanjali's practices of dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation) interrupt the obsessive thought cycles that maintain addictive craving and rumination.
Dharana, the practice of concentrating the mind on a single point, and dhyana, the sustained flow of that concentration, form the heart of Patanjali's meditation system. Addiction involves obsessive, repetitive thought patterns—rumination about past use, fantasies about future use, and mental bargaining. These thought cycles strengthen neural pathways supporting addiction. By training dharana through practices like breath focus or mantra repetition, individuals develop the capacity to interrupt obsessive thinking. When a craving-related thought arises, the trained mind can redirect attention rather than being swept into compulsive thought spirals. Dhyana, the deeper state where the mind flows continuously on one object without effort, represents freedom from thought fragmentation. Even preliminary development of these capacities significantly reduces the mental suffering of addiction. The individual gains choice over their attention rather than being captive to craving thoughts. Regular practice strengthens prefrontal cortex function, the brain region responsible for impulse control and decision-making.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.