Dharana and Trading in the Pipe

Dharana’s External Applications

Dharana may be considered the highest level of immersion a human can have with their environment. This deep level of concentration is necessary for a wide range of tasks and professions, such as driving, farming, surgery, or trading.  While the ability can be obtained to perform these functions, this knowledge must be amplified by experience to become proficient in the exercise.  The real mastery of trading begins with the fluid integration of knowledge with real-time experiences.

Pioneering positive psychologist, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience posited that focused attention, or “flow,” is a necessary component in our happiness. When our skills are equally matched to a task, the ego subsides with the absorption in the activity, as time unknowingly carries an engaged body and mind through a continuous flow of focused attention. The enjoyment arises effortlessly and spontaneously as our attention is balanced with our intention. This creative and energizing flow, this connection with our activity, is what we seek with dharana and what we seek in our trading practices.

The Zone

Dharana may be akin to the immersion athletes, chess players, musicians, or surfers feel when engrossed in thought and action. Otherwise known as the zone, the mind is present in the flow of the ever-changing moment, while continuing to have full control of our cognitive, emotional, and physical capacities. External stimuli will continue to be peripherally observed—such as a soccer player keeping her eye on the ball while avoiding an encroaching opponent—while responses will be effortless, automatic, and without hesitation. This absorption may also be felt when engrossed in a captivating novel. Full concentration comes when the present moment is not hindered by the ineptitude of an amateur skill set required for the completion of task

Dharana in Trading

Having studied the precursors in pratyahara which have led to emotional strain, we have recognized when we are not deciding our next move based upon what the markets are telling us. The mind and emotions are no longer taking over our bodies, sabotaging our chances of success. Instead, the new information forms new perspectives, not pessimistically associating a non-profitable set-up the day before to a similar one today. Joy permeates our thoughts and actions, as our emotions are not based upon them.  Identification is not based upon our personae. Abundance in health, wealth, love and happiness is naturally uncovered, as we allow the freedom from limited opportunities.  We see are ourselves as the co-creators of our lives, not the victims of our external environment. However, should we refuse to accept the limitations of acting with the intent to harm, then we will be navigating backwards towards our lesser selves. The intent to do well to others, ourselves, and our environments will lead to feelings of love, compassion and bliss.

The markets may still be identifiable as object, but the association has surpassed the material reality. Identifying chart movement becomes our concern. The price movement becomes our meditation when we react based upon the best probable indicators which we have given credit to as our method of interpretation. Intuition plays a part in our routine, guiding without questioning our abilities. We allow the markets to direct us, allowing the senses to receive rather than drive our action. Struggling to find opportunities without the understanding of how the breath affects the mood, the emotions affect the body, and how the body affects the mind, will sabotage even the most tested of strategies. It is only with the intent of an intuitive and sound understanding of our selves that one can uncover the true nature of our Self and the markets.

Concentration alleviates the wandering mind to interact with the external world in a tempered way. By becoming proficient with our strategies—whether they relate to trading, parenting, gardening or astronomy—we will begin to introduce the creative element. Our interaction, however, is the key to success, accessible after the purification practices of the previous limbs of the Ashtanga practice will ensure we contribute to positive outcomes. If we keep our minds, bodies, and emotions pure, then we will source out similar situations to keep this positive way of being. Conversely, anger, hate, jealously, and greed will cause us to be pessimists, and not consider more favourable outcomes.