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Pratyahara (प्रत्याहारः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:07, 9 December 2022
, 19:07, 9 December 2022→प्रत्याहारस्य भेदाः ॥ Forms of Pratyahara: Adding content with reference
Explaining this further, when the senses are in the state of non-contact with their objects, they simply remain themselves in their own form and nature (ie. svarupa). And because the senses have broken contact with their objects, the chitta too can no longer contact the sense-objects. It now dwells as itself, in its own form and nature (svarupa). The senses then in non-contact with their objects turn towards such a stilled chitta and thereby somewhat resemble the state (svarupa) of the chitta. Such a control of senses together with that of the chitta is Pratyahara.
Explaining this further, when the senses are in the state of non-contact with their objects, they simply remain themselves in their own form and nature (ie. svarupa). And because the senses have broken contact with their objects, the chitta too can no longer contact the sense-objects. It now dwells as itself, in its own form and nature (svarupa). The senses then in non-contact with their objects turn towards such a stilled chitta and thereby somewhat resemble the state (svarupa) of the chitta. Such a control of senses together with that of the chitta is Pratyahara.
The word Pratyahara is also widely used in Yoga and [[Tantra (तन्त्रम्)|Tantra literature]] to describe a special system of using the breath for withdrawal of the senses. These breathing practices do not come under Pranayama. The breath is used only as a pretext for connecting with the Vayu (the flow principle) in the Pranamaya [[Five Koshas (पञ्चकोशाः)|Kosha]]. When the flow principle is channelised then it begins to touch the Manomaya Kosha and all the sensations and experiences of the senses, that were being carried along with the flow principle are merged into the becalmed [[Manas (मनः)|mind]].
The word Pratyahara is also widely used in Yoga and [[Tantra (तन्त्रम्)|Tantra literature]] to describe a special system of using the breath for withdrawal of the senses. These breathing practices do not come under Pranayama. The breath is used only as a pretext for connecting with the Vayu (the flow principle) in the Pranamaya [[Five Koshas (पञ्चकोशाः)|Kosha]]. When the flow principle is channelised then it begins to touch the Manomaya Kosha and all the sensations and experiences of the senses, that were being carried along with the flow principle are merged into the becalmed [[Manas (मनः)|mind]].<ref name=":2" />
== प्रत्याहारस्य महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Pratyahara ==
== प्रत्याहारस्य महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Pratyahara ==
# प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Prana Pratyahara ie. control of prana
# प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Prana Pratyahara ie. control of prana
# कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Karma Pratyahara ie. control of action
# कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Karma Pratyahara ie. control of action
# मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawal of mind from the senses.
# मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawal of mind from the senses.<ref name=":3" />
=== इन्द्रियप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of the Senses ===
=== इन्द्रियप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of the Senses ===
Laya Yoga is the yoga of the inner sound and light current, in which the focus is on subtle senses inorder to withdraw from the gross senses. This withdrawal into inner sound and light is a means of transforming the mind and is another form of indriyapratyahara.<ref name=":3" />
Laya Yoga is the yoga of the inner sound and light current, in which the focus is on subtle senses inorder to withdraw from the gross senses. This withdrawal into inner sound and light is a means of transforming the mind and is another form of indriyapratyahara.<ref name=":3" />
=== प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of Prana ===
Control of the senses requires the development and control of prana because the senses follow prana or the vital energy. If the prana is scattered or disturbed, the senses will also be scattered and disturbed. Prana is gathered in pranayama and withdrawn in pratyahara. Yogic texts describe methods of withdrawing prana from different parts of the body.
Perhaps the best method of prana-pratyahara is to visualize the death process, in which the prana, or the life-force, withdraws from the body, shutting off all the senses from the feet to the head. Ramana Maharshi achieved Self-realization by doing this when he was a mere boy of seventeen. Before inquiring into the Self, he visualized his body as dead, withdrawing his prana into the mind and the mind into the heart. This complete and intense pratyahara, is the reason for the success of his meditative process.<ref name=":3" />
=== कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of Action ===
The impulses coming in through the senses get expressed through the motor organs and this drives further sensory involvement. Thus, the sense organs cannot be controlled without controlling the motor organs. And it is right work and right action that gives control of the motor organs. This involves karma yoga ie. performing selfless service and making life a sacred ritual.
Karma pratyahara can be performed by surrendering any thought of personal rewards for what the actions performed, doing everything as service to the Supreme Being or to humanity.<ref name=":3" /> The Bhagavad Gita says, <blockquote>कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga)]</ref></blockquote>It essentially refers to one's duty to act without seeking a reward for the actions. This is one kind of pratyahara. It also includes the practice of austerities that lead to control of the motor organs. For example, asana can be used to control the hands and feet that is needed while required to sit quietly for extended periods of time.<ref name=":3" />
=== मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Withdrawal of the Mind ===
Mind is responsible for coordinating all the other sense organs. The sensory impressions are taken in only from where the mind's attention is placed. And the mind's attention is limited. So, attention is placed on one sensory impression by withdrawing the mind from other impressions. In that sense, one is always practicing Pratyahara.
The senses are controlled by withdrawing the mind's attention from them.<ref name=":3" /> According to the Yoga Sutras,
स्वविषयासंप्रयोगे चित्तस्य स्वरूपानुकार इवेन्द्रियाणांप्रत्याहारः ।। २.५४ ।।<ref name=":1" />
Meaning: When the senses do not conform with their own objects but imitate the nature of the mind, that is Pratyahara. More specifically, it is Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawing the senses from their objects and directing them inward to the nature of the mind, which is formless. Vyasa's commentary on the Yoga Sutra notes that the mind is like the queen bee and the senses are the worker bees. Wherever the queen bee goes, all the other bees must follow. Thus mano pratyahara is less about controlling the senses than about controlling the mind, for when the mind is controlled, the senses are automatically controlled.
Mano Pratyahara can be practised by consciously withdrawing attention from unwholesome impressions whenever they arise. This is the highest and the most difficult form of pratyahara. Without gaining proficiency in controlling the senses, motor organs, and pranas, it is unlikely to work. Bacause prana and the senses can easily overcome a weak mind. Therefore, it is preferred to begin the journey of Pratyahara with more practical methods.<ref name=":3" />
== अभ्यासः ॥ The Practice ==
== अभ्यासः ॥ The Practice ==
# Sitting comfortably on a chair, on the floor, or in any other comfortable position of one's choice except lying down as the posture may induce sleep. Because, Pratyahara is not relaxation, it is an exercise of awareness. And the idea is to remain conscious and not sleep.
# Sitting comfortably on a chair, on the floor, or in any other comfortable position of one's choice except lying down as the posture may induce sleep. Because, Pratyahara is not relaxation, it is an exercise of awareness. And the idea is to remain conscious and not sleep.
# Closing the eyes and not moving the body or moving as little as possible for about 10 minutes.<ref name=":0" />
# Closing the eyes and not moving the body or moving as little as possible for about 10 minutes.<ref name=":0" />
== प्रत्याहारः स्वास्थ्यं च ॥ Pratyahara and Health ==
All mental illnesses are connected with the intake of unwholesome impressions. Pratyahara therefore, is an important first step in treating all mental disorders. Similarly, it is very helpful in treating nervous system disorders, particularly those that arise through hyperactivity.
Over expression of emotions leads to tremendous loss of energy. Pratyahara trains one to hold the energy within and avoid dispersing it unnecessarily. This conserved energy can then be drawn upon for creative, spiritual or healing purposes as needed and can provide the extra power to do the things that are important.
As for physical disease that mainly arise from taking in unwholesome food, Pratyahara lends control of the senses that curbs the craving for wrong food. Thus, when the senses are controlled, everything is controlled.<ref name=":3" />
== References ==
== References ==