Samyama or Mind Control

Samyama or Mind Control

by Swami Sivananda

1. WHAT IS SAMYAMA

The three (Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) together constitute Samyama.

NOTES

Samyama means perfect control of the mind. Here it is a technical name for three inseparable processes of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi taken collectively. By the practice of Samyama, the Yogi gets knowledge and powers. The three processes are practised on any one object successively at the same time. The five Angas of Yoga are intended to purify the body, Prana and the senses. These three practices purify the mind. They constitute the very basis of Yoga. With the help of these three, the Yogi dives deep within and brings out the pearl of knowledge of anything. Samyama is the name given to the combined practice of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi at one and the same time. By Samyama on external objects he gets various Siddhis and hidden knowledge of the universe of Tanmatras, etc. By concentration on Indriyas, Ahamkara and mind, etc., he gets various powers and experiences. These things are explained in the subsequent Sutras.

2. SAMYAMA AS ANTARANGA SADHANA

The three (Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) are more internal than the preceding (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara).

NOTES

These three constitute the Yoga proper. The five accessories are the external means of Yoga. These three directly bring Samadhi. The other five purify the body, Prana and Indriyas. Hence these three are called Antaranga Sadhana.

3. SAMYAMA AS BAHIRANGA SADHANA

Even that (Samyama) is external to the seedless Samadhi.

NOTES

Nirbija Samahi or Asamprajnata Samadhi is the final goal of Raja Yoga. Compared to that, this Samyama (Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi) also is external or indirect. It is also preparatory. Here there is Alambana or something for the mind to depend upon; whereas in Nirbija Samadhi, there is nothing for the mind to depend upon. It is Niralambana. It is Nirbija (seedless) Samadhi.

4. BENEFITS OF SAMYAMA

By the conquest of Samyama, comes the stage of cognition.

NOTES

As Samyama becomes firmer and firmer, so does the knowledge of Samadhi become more and more lucid. This is the fruit of the practice of Samyama. Samyama should become very natural. Then the knowledge flashes like anything. Samyama is a powerful weapon for the Yogi. Just as the archer aims at the gross objects at first, and then takes to subtle objects, so also the Yogi does Samyama on gross objects and then takes to subtle objects. He does great deal of practice and ascends the Yogic ladder rung by rung.

Samyama or Mind Control – Concentration, Meditation, and Inner Mastery

Samyama or Mind Control is a deep yogic discipline that teaches the seeker how to gather the scattered mind and direct it toward higher knowledge. The ordinary mind moves constantly from one thought to another. It runs after memories, desires, fears, worries, plans, pleasures, and distractions. Because of this restlessness, a person loses peace, clarity, and inner strength. Yoga gives a method to train this mind and make it steady.

In Raja Yoga, the mind is considered the main instrument of bondage and liberation. When it is uncontrolled, it becomes a source of suffering. When it is purified and disciplined, it becomes a doorway to wisdom. The same mind that creates confusion can also reveal truth when guided by practice, purity, and discrimination.

Samyama or Mind Control begins with Dharana, or concentration. Dharana means fixing attention on one chosen point. This point may be a mantra, the breath, a divine form, a light, a chakra, a spiritual idea, or the witnessing consciousness. In the beginning, the mind wanders again and again. The seeker must patiently bring it back without anger or discouragement.

When concentration becomes steady, it develops into Dhyana, or meditation. In meditation, the flow of attention becomes smoother and more continuous. The mind does not jump so much from object to object. It becomes quiet, deep, and inward. This gives calmness, clarity, and a sense of subtle joy. Meditation is not sleep or dullness; it is alert inner stillness.

Samyama or Mind Control reaches its deeper stage in Samadhi, where the mind becomes absorbed in the object of meditation. The distinction between the meditator, the process of meditation, and the object becomes very subtle. In this condition, the mental waves become quiet, and higher insight begins to shine. This is a powerful state, but it must be approached with humility and purity.

The purpose of this discipline is not to gain power over others. It is not meant for pride, display, or curiosity. Some yogic texts speak of special powers that may arise from deep concentration, but a sincere seeker should not become attached to them. Powers can become obstacles if they strengthen ego. The true aim is freedom from ignorance, desire, fear, and false identification.

Samyama or Mind Control teaches that the real battle is within. The outer world may be noisy, but the deeper disturbance comes from uncontrolled thoughts, impulses, and emotions. Anger, jealousy, greed, pride, lust, fear, and attachment pull the mind outward. The seeker must learn to observe these movements and not become their helpless servant.

Purity is the foundation of this path. A mind filled with selfish desire and impure impressions cannot become steady for long. Truthfulness, compassion, humility, moderation, self-control, devotion, good company, and selfless service prepare the mind for deeper practice. Ethical living is not separate from meditation; it supports meditation.

Samyama or Mind Control requires regular practice. One cannot control the mind by occasional enthusiasm. Daily effort is necessary. Sit at a fixed time, keep the body steady, calm the breath, repeat the mantra or focus on the chosen object, and return the mind whenever it wanders. Small regular practice is more powerful than long irregular practice.

The seeker should not fight the mind violently. Harsh suppression creates tension. The better way is patient discipline. Watch thoughts as they arise, understand their nature, and gently return to the chosen focus. Over time, the mind becomes less scattered. It begins to obey discrimination instead of running after every desire.

Dispassion is also necessary. If the mind remains attached to pleasure, praise, possession, comfort, and excitement, concentration becomes difficult. Detachment does not mean hatred of life. It means freedom from blind craving. When desires are reduced, inner energy becomes available for meditation and spiritual growth.

Samyama or Mind Control also helps daily life. A concentrated person works better, speaks more carefully, listens more deeply, and wastes less energy. They are less reactive and more thoughtful. They do not become easily disturbed by small problems. The discipline practiced in meditation slowly enters action, relationship, study, and service.

Devotion gives protection on this path. Prayer, surrender, mantra repetition, and remembrance of the Divine soften the heart and reduce ego. Without devotion, mental discipline may become dry or proud. With devotion, practice becomes pure, gentle, and filled with grace. The seeker feels supported by a higher power.

A competent teacher can be very helpful for deeper practice. The mind can misunderstand subtle experiences or become attached to visions, lights, sounds, or sensations. A wise guide reminds the seeker that all experiences come and go. The witnessing awareness is deeper than all mental states.

The highest mind-control is not force, but understanding. When the seeker realizes that the true self is not the body, mind, ego, or passing thought, inner freedom begins. Thoughts may arise, but they no longer rule. Emotions may appear, but they do not completely disturb the inner center. Awareness remains silent and steady.

In the end, Samyama or Mind Control is a royal discipline for transforming the restless mind into a calm, pure, and powerful instrument of realization. Through concentration, meditation, absorption, purity, devotion, detachment, and steady practice, the seeker rises above distraction and discovers inner peace, wisdom, and liberation.

Instructions on Samadhi