Pratayhara  (Sense Withdrawal)

 

As a student and teacher of yoga, I find myself moving along Pantajali’s eight limb path of Raja yoga with deep levels of understanding unfolding in equal proportions to my ability to withdraw from the outward orientation of my senses.

 

Over the years, I have discovered that my yoga practice mirrors my life.  If my attention is focused solely on the externals of a pose and its relationship to my body I have a very limited experience of the asana.   Likewise if focus solely on the eternal of my life, I have a very limited experience of my life.  Pantajali eight-limbed path is very specific in directing us through the superficial layers (sheaths of conscious) of the mundane world into deeper levels of awareness and ultimately into Self Realization and Samadhi (the blissful union of all opposites). 

 

Though there is much confusion as to the “how to” of this inner movement, Pantajali’s path is very specific the direction of this journey.  After adopting the values and disciplines of the yamas and niyamas, the physical structure and discipline of both the asana and pranayama (breath control), we arrive at the 5th limb – Pratayhara (Sensory withdrawal). Pratayhara is an important and progressive movement into the subtle (spiritual/energetic) world through conscious and intentional choice to move away from the chaotic noise of the senses into the blissful silence and inherent rootedness of our existence.

 

From the perspective of a teacher scanning a room full of yogis it is immediately obvious when a student has grasped the concept of Pratayhara as there is a peaceful shift in the flow of their practice of complete engagement together with absolute relaxation expressed even in the midst of chaos and challenge.

 

Together with the practice yamas, niyamas, asana and pranayama, the practice of pratyhara is a yogic technique which progressively deepens our yoga experience and our lives.  As the movement away from the senses, with the conscious and purposeful intent, connects us with the inner worlds of strength and serenity.   We cease to be entranced, fascinated, attracted, drawn into, hypnotized, or enchanted by the ordinary alienated world of the sense objects as being separate from ourselves.  We consciously withdraw our attention and energy from outside distraction and dissolution and give up the superficial “reality” of our ego identity based on separateness.  We move beyond the ego, delusion, limited manmade beliefs, concepts, and views (the limitations of duality, fragmentation, corruptive thought) by energetically moving our attention inward and upward toward the inner reality of unity and unconditional love (absolute presence).

 

Through the practice of Pratyhara we recognize that all of nature is within us and that likewise we are in all of nature. This reality is known in the spiritual heart. We draw our attention inward and upward toward the divine intelligence rooted in nature (rather than downward and outward in lust, fear, and separation).  All dissipative energies stop while the inner circuits are energized and the focus of our concentration and meditation is catalyzed.

 

The invitation this week to practice Pratyhara, both on our yoga mat and in our lives, by consciously moving away from the transient world of separation and senses and in this way connect with the silence, stillness and oneness at the core of our being. 

 

 

All my love

Namaste

Chrystal Rae