Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Yoga - the withdrawal and emancipation from the senses.

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Yoga - the withdrawal and emancipation from the senses.

The concept of pratyahara is found in verse II.54 and II.55 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

II.54 svavisaya asamprayoge cittasya svarupanukarah iva indriyanam pratyaharah

Withdrawing the senses, mind and consciousness from contact with external objects, and then drawing them inwards is pratyahara.

II.55 tatah parama vayata idriyanam

Pratyahara results in the absolute control of the sense organs.

Pratyahara is the transition from the external world to the internal world. Yama and niyama eliminate interruptions by instructing the yogini to live peacefully and purely. Asana removes distractions of the physical and mental being. Pranayama prepares the yogi for meditation. And, pratyahara – control, or refinement of the senses – is the result of the yogini’s work in the first stages. It is also a new step for the yogini – to turn the senses inward toward the soul.

The sense organs allow us to perceive the external world in a personal way. We see, touch, smell, taste, and hear things that we enjoy or do not enjoy. If left uncontrolled, the mind will tell us to continue our quest for more, bigger, and better sensual pleasures. Inevitably, our senses become dulled from over-stimulation and are no longer able to be satisfied. This leads to unhappiness and suffering. In the words of BKS Iyengar, “Here lies the true role of pratyahara… It is the friend who releases you from the snares of the external world, and leads you towards happiness in the delight of the soul.

Homework:

Select a day (or an hour!) to study your sensual experiences. Note which experiences bring up feelings of attachment – “I want more!” and, note which bring feelings of aversion – “Never again!” Consider what actions follow those sensual experiences. Are your actions based on an intellectual decision that you’ve made? Or are your actions based on the unconscious drive for more or less of the sensual experience?

References:

Light on Yoga and Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar, Yoga: A Gem for Women, by Geeta Iyengar

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

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