Thoughts on Yoga
Yoga e-course lesson 4: sense withdrawing 1
2009-09-07
"Sense withdrawal" is one of the essential features of yoga and meditation (along with concentration and relaxation) "Meditation" is a state of relaxed concentration that is endlessly nourishing and replenishing to the spirit. "Yoga" is a state of mind in which we are identified with the supreme power of the universe, whatever our understanding of that power may be.
"Yoga" also refers to any practice that cultivates restraint for the purpose of accessing a higher level of knowledge and happiness.
To begin to create more peace and well-being, you need to unplug from the bombardment of contact with the sights, sounds, thoughts and other experiences of the world outside you.
This withdrawal is called "pratyahara." At its most extreme it is a complete catatonia or disconnect between awareness and information streaming into our sense doors. (For example, there's a sound, but you don't hear it.) There are deep states of concentration in which this actually happens. However, most people don't feel comfortable completely turning off their senses of hearing, sight, smell, touch, etc. at will while in the waking state.
You don't need to have extreme abilities to benefit from withdrawing and "going inward." You have the natural capacity to focus on one particular thing over others. In fact, you do it every single moment.
"Pratyahara" is consciously turning your attention away from outside to focus on the world inside you.
Many people are hypnotized by the feeling that life is too chaotic. Because they don't know how to turn inward to rest, life feels like it's "happening at" them.
Fear, anger and resentment happen when life feels like it's coming at you faster than you can handle.
To slow down your life to an enjoyable place, practice withdrawing your attention from the outer world to your inner space. Yoga postures, breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques all teach you how to hold your focus inward long enough to bring a sense of order, space and inner peace.
Your body, mind and spirit will all recharge themselves quickly when you know how to unplug from the outside world.
Learning yoga practices allows you to master your attention, look within yourself, transform your emotions and discover an endless reservoir of well-being and refreshment.