dhyana · noun — A type of profound meditation. It carries an Arena rating of 1495, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, dhyana ranks #631 of 17,163 for Most Sublime Words, #3,429 of 17,146 for Most Beautiful Words, #4,062 of 17,166 for Most Malleable Words, #7,166 of 17,130 for Most Storied Words.
dhyana is pronounced /ˈdjɑːnə/.
Why “dhyana” is a great word
A profound, abstract state of meditative concentration and contemplation central to Hindu and Buddhist practice. From Sanskrit ध्यान (dhyāna, literally 'meditation, thought, reflection'), from the root dhyā- ('to think, contemplate'). Doublet of Zen and Chan. Unlike *dharana*, the initial, disciplined fixing of attention upon a single point, or *samadhi*, the final, indivisible state of absorption, *dhyana* is the serene, unbroken river between the two. It is the sustained gaze into a candle flame that forgets both the candle and the gazer, the silent, deepening awareness of breath as it becomes indistinguishable from air, the mind settling like silt in still water until it is perfectly clear—a luminous, motionless witnessing at the very heart of silence.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
From Sanskrit ध्यान (dhyāna, literally “meditation”). Doublet of Zen and Chan.
noun
- A type of profound meditation.e.g.“Thus the Kaivalyopanisad accords equal importance to Sraddha (faith-regard), devotion (bhakti) and meditation (dhyana) for the attainment of the highest knowledge.” — 1844, Calcutta Review, page 123:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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