Dharana, according to Yogasastra, is the concentration of the mind on one object, without any deviation. Dharana alone can make Dhyanam successful. Its very nature is one-pointedness; its power will negate hesitation. It is caused by Ananda. The name is essential for Dhyanam, for that alone can ensure quick success. Even if complete faith is not forthcoming quickly, it must not be given up or changed; for practice will certainly yield victory. Dhyanam is spiritual strength, the strength that will keep off the Bhavaroga, or the disease of Samsara. But you should avoid the difficult obstacle in the path of Dhyanam, viz, anger, pride, conceit, tendency to discover the faults of others, mischief etc. These operate even sub-consciously, as the currents in the depths of the ocean.

The Sadhaka must be vigilant not to lose his temper on even small things, for that will block his progress. He must cultivate love towards all and meekness. Then undesirable habits will fall away from him since anger is the parent of all wrong behaviour. Anger can turn any into bad ways, any moment, and in any form. So it should be sublimated first by systematic effort. The Sadhaka must welcome gladly the announcement of his defects by any one; he must indeed, be grateful to those who point them out. He must never entertain hatred against them, for that is as bad as hating the 'good'. The 'good' has to be loved and the 'bad' discarded. Remember, the 'bad' should not be hated. It has to be given up, avoided. Only such persons can achieve progress in Dhyanam and Spiritual Wisdom.

Conceit, jealousy, the Rajasic exhibition of one's superiority, anger, the craving to inform oneself of the weakness of others and their failings, trickery - all these are obstacles in the path of Dhyanam. Even if these are not patently exhibited, the inner impulses urging one alone these wrong directions are latent in the mind. As a room kept closed for a long time is found dust-ridden and foul-smelling when it is opened and as it becomes clean and habitable after elaborate sweeping and dusting so the mind too has to be cleaned by Dhyanam. The Sadhaka must, by inward observation, examine the mind and its contents and condition. By proper disciplinary habits, he should remove the accumulated dirt, little by little, systematically. Conceit, for example, is deep-rooted and unyielding. In the Rajasic mind, it puts forth manifold branches in all directions and spreads everywhere. It might appear to be dry and dead for some time, but it will sprout again easily. As soon as a chance arises for its exhibition, it will raise its hood. So the Sadhaka has to be ever vigilant.

As regards Anger, the Sadhaka has to be vigilant even about the most minor matters which might provoke him; because if he is careless, he cannot progress in the least. Such persons must cultivate a humble, loving spirit. Then the bad traits will disappear. Some Sadhakas become very angry when someone discovers and announces to them the bad traits they possess. This makes matters worse! The Sadhaka must have always the inward look; if he is allowing his mind to wander outward, he cannot identify his own faults. Pride prevents the inward look and confuses the examination of the mind. When the Sadhaka is desirous of achieving success, he must bow down to those who point out his faults. That is the way to progress quick and fast in the path of Dhyanam. And he must endeavour not to entertain the faults any longer.