Yoga is ultimately about meditation. And meditation is about silencing our thoughts. However it is simply not possible to suddenly and magically gain control over our thoughts. This is why yoga is an eight-fold path that unfolds in a progressive transformation of our mind-body system. This transformation allows increasing ability to silence our thoughts.
One of the eight limbs of the eight limbs of yoga is Pratyahara. This translates to: “Do not feed the senses”. Pratyahara asks us to practice restraint in our lives so that mind is not constantly engrossed in thoughts related to pleasure (or pain) arising from senses.
Pratyahara is an underappreciated limb of the eight limbs of yoga, but this should not deter us from understanding its importance:
1. Pratyahara is the bridge to meditation.
If the objective is to have a calm lake with no ripples on the surface, then it makes sense that we desist throwing stones in it. Pratyahara works similarly. If we want to have a silent mind with no thoughts rippling through then we must stop throwing stones of sensory pleasure (or pain) into our minds.
2. Pratyahara is achieved progressively.
It is not possible to suddenly disengage from the sensory world. Forcing the issue can only backfire. There is both a push and a pull involved. We must nudge ourselves gently in this direction, and the progress we make with the other 7 limbs of yoga will also pull us along. Pratyahara is not escapism, rather it is the gentle raising of consciousness to disengage from the sensory world and be in awareness of the true Self.
3. Meditation aids Pratyahara.
As we develop a stronger practice into meditation we may find that the pleasure of a silent mind is greater than any sensory pleasure we may get. This realization becomes a force that propels us forward into increasing withdrawal from the sensory world. As we make progress in meditation we gain increasing control over our thoughts. This allows the mind to control the senses and disengage from them. That is same as saying that Pratyahara becomes easier.
4. Pratyahara is freedom.
It is easy to view Pratyahara as something negative. But when it unfolds naturally it is the most positive thing in our lives. It allows us to get off the sensory treadmill into the silence of our being where true freedom resides.
5. Pratyahara simplifies our life.
Like a dog trying to catch its own tail we are engaged in the futile activity of finding true happiness in sensory pleasure. Pratyahara allows us to break free from this cycle. As we slowly disengage, our lives simplify. Our journey into yoga becomes easier as we finally get off the emotional roller coaster of chasing sensory pleasures.
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Credits:This has been written by Raj Shah and edited by Ketna Shah.