Dhyana: Hindu Meditation
The purpose of Hindu meditation, known as dhyana, is conscious awareness of one’s mind and body for increased self-knowledge. An important component of classical yoga, the practice of dhyana involves retreating from daily distractions and focusing on a particular object or idea. Mind and body function in harmony. Dhyana assists with overcoming mental blocks, negative thinking, fear, stress and anxiety.
The story of the Churning of the Ocean in the Puranas, a series of ancient Hindu texts, describes gods and demons joining together to churn the ocean in order to extract the elixir of immortality. The ocean represents the mind which is subject to mental fluctuations.