Pratyahara

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the fifth limb of Yoga - Pratyahara.

The more we have the less we own.

-Meister Eckhart

We have been ruthlessly conditioned to think we can find fulfillment in possessions, to love things rather than people - so much so, that when we feel an emptiness in our hearts, we go to shopping centers to fill it up.

I am all for living in reasonable comfort, but when I go to shopping centers, I cannot help getting alarmed. Not at the money that is being wasted - there is enough money in this country to waste. But there isn't enough will to waste. There isn't enough energy to waste. When we hear of the energy crisis, this is it. All our vitality, energy, and drive is sapped and undermined by the constant propaganda: go after this, go after that, and you'll be happy. Things are not meant to be loved. They are meant only to be used. People are lovable and loving.

Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran

The homework is to study the fifth limb of Yoga - Pratyahara. Pratyahara is the control, or the refinement of the senses. Ask yourself what it means to practice Pratyahara and how that would help you retain your vitality and your energy.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003