We've reached the final week of June, and time has really flown by these last few weeks. Coming off the heels of Memorial Day, and jumping into July, with its promise of warm summer days and enjoyable evenings, we return to our study of The Eight Limbs of Yoga with the Fifth aid, Pratyahara. When last we met we discussed Pranayama, our practice of breath control and direction of life-force energy, and introduced a few of its many forms. Now we dive into the mastery of the mind, and the control of the senses, getting into the nitty-gritty of the self and dispelling some of the many illusions we may be subject to in our lives.
When viewing the 8 Limbs as a whole, we can more clearly observe the different stages that the Yogi moves through along the path of awakening to their true essence nature. They can be separated into 3 main sections
The first two Limbs, the Yamas and Niyamas, govern one's interactions with themselves and others as they move through the world
The next two, Asana and Pranayama, aim to help the Yogi create the space in the body for healthy movement and prolonged meditation, as well as cultivate and direct life-force energy within the body.
These are all setting the stage for the next 3 Limbs, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana, which all pertain to the Yogi's mastery of their mental realm in varying degrees. These three limbs culminate in the 8th and final limb Samadhi, the goal and aspiration of the Yogis Path.
It's worth noting that while I have placed Pratyahara in the third group, it can also be grouped with Asana, and Pranayama, as it seeks to prepare both the mind and body for the last 3 Limbs. Patanjali groups Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi together in what's called "Samyama", a three-fold practice that leads one to the illumination of true essence nature.
Pratyahara is the start of that mental journey. Translating to "the withdrawal of senses" it can be understood as the first step to conquering our "monkey mind" through deliberate and extensive self-examination, and decoupling the senses from the objects of their desire. Going inward, we identify the nature of our senses, and their pull towards the objects of their desire. This introspection, and subsequent decoupling of the senses to that which is outside of us, grants the Yogi more control over their sensory experience.
No longer blindly following the whims of our desires, whether that be preferences of what's "good" or "bad" or impulses as they arise, We more clearly see our true selves and nature beyond the pull of that which is not.
Revisiting the analogy of a horse drawn chariot; we can view the charioteer as our true self, the chariot, our mind and body, and the horses as our senses. If we allow our senses full control to pull our chariot every-which-way it pleases, we lose our ability to command our vessel properly, and we become subject to every impulse that may arise in our sensory experience.
Instead, by practicing Pratyahara, we can withdraw our senses from those objects of impulse, and command our vessels efficiently with freedom and discernment.
So how can we practice Pratyahara?
This week, let's try bringing in some pratyahara in our daily lives by:
Taking 5-10 minutes to sit down and observe our thoughts as they arise, and acknowledge where they may be coming from, or what senses may be leading them. Write them down in a Journal!
Practice non-attachment by accepting something as it is, without trying to make it better or worse. Notice what impulses arise in your body and mind that make it difficult.
Try something you usually avoid, or abstain from something you particularly love doing. Listen to how your body and mind responds to both, finding value in both experiences.
With Pratyahara, it's all about self- discovery that leads to clear discernment. Finding the middle path of non-attachment. Let us know how things go!
With Love and Gratitude,