pratyahara - withdrawing from the senses
This week, our yoga class focus is Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses. Pratyahara is the 5th limb in Patanjali’s 8 fold path, as documented in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (PYS).
“The restraint of senses occurs when the mind is able to remain in its chosen direction and the senses disregard the different objects around them and faithfully follow the direction of the mind. Then the senses are mastered.”
Our senses help us to enjoy the pleasures in life and also to achieve our goals. The flip side of having this sensory ability in this world is that the senses tend to be our masters and entice us to develop cravings for sensory pleasures, distracting us from our goals and disrupting our balance. The sensory pleasures can sabotage your efforts; whether through food, drink, sleep, entertainment or whatever your particular sense pleasure that distracts and derails you, at times of stress or discomfort.
The challenge we face with keeping our senses in check is not new.
In the ancient text of the Upanishads, there is a metaphor to describe how attachment to sensation can derail us. It talks about the body being a chariot carrying the Self as a passenger and pulled by 5 horses (which are the senses); driven by our innate intelligence, and using the sensory mind as reins.
The sense objects are the path on which the horses pull the chariot. If the horses are poorly trained or the chariot driver is inattentive or unskilled, the chariot careens off course. So, like the chariot driver trying to control the untrained horses, we can suffer from the distractions of our uncontrolled senses and careen off our course.
Our minds are ordinarily led by desires and habits of the senses which have formed from our experiences and our instincts. We can find ourselves clinging on to the momentary pleasures rather than considering the longer term implications. This is how we find ourselves on social media for 2 hours when we have other important things to do, or eating a packet of tim tams or drinking too much wine, when we know we will feel worse for it the next day – this is the power our sense have over our rational mind.
When we practice pratyahara we begin to train the mind, so we consciously decide what to pay attention to and then act on that decision rather than be lured by the senses. And we no longer satisfy the immediate needs of the senses at the expense of our physical, emotional, and mental health. It does not mean that we do not indulge our senses; it means we are remain aware of what they are demanding of us and consciously decide whether to follow that lead or make a different choice.
One way to practice pratyahara is to focus on the breath, training the senses through simple conscious breathing. Another is through quiet time in meditation. We can train the senses and create habits that support a balanced body and mind. Inner awareness helps – in asana – we tune in to our bodies which helps give the mind space for resting. The senses tend to suspend their activities naturally through pranayama.
Pratyahara allows us to integrate the inner and outer worlds.
This week reflecting on when you tend to be carried away with the senses. Is there a time of day, a type of activity (work, leisure time), or a particular environment or person/people… to become aware of this.
Resolving this week to be aware of the times when your senses are more likely to be mastering your actions.
Wishing you a week ahead aware of when your senses are more likely to be mastering your actions. And the ability to withdraw from this sensory pull to consciously decide the most appropriate action.
Nicky’s yoga classes are a gentle, hatha style, suitable for beginners.
Along with teaching weekly yoga classes in Beaumaris, Bayside Melbourne, Nicky is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (PACFA), coach and mindfulness meditation teacher.
Get in touch with Nicky to find out more.