The practice of pratyahara creates the setting for dharana, or concentration.

Having relieved ourselves of outside distractions, one can then address the distractions of the mind.

Breath is the most important ally in this practice

In the practice of concentration, Dharana, which precedes meditation, one learns to slow down the thinking process by concentrating on one of the following :

• Single mental object
• Specific energetic center in the body
• An image of a Deity
• Silent repetition of a sound ( bija mantra) 

*Extended periods of concentration naturally lead to meditation