Pratyahara

Yoga is often viewed as an outward exercise when, in fact, the real purpose of yoga is meditation or the development of higher consciousness. It is an inward exercise that in the process yields the outward effects that people seek.

In the Patanjali Yog Sutras, the great sage Patanjali tells us that ‘Pratyahara’ or ‘Restraining of the Sense Organs’ is bringing one’s attention, energy and awareness back inside and happens when the mind eliminates the impressions produced by the external world.

Pratyahara is especially important in today’s age as our senses are constantly bombarded by various vibrations emanating from the world. If the mind can be detached from external impressions and vibrations, the sense organs can follow suit and can instead be tuned towards one’s own Self. This can be achieved by the help of Pranayama or breath control because it is the prana (life force or breath) which helps in the movement of the mind.

According to Yog Vasistha, when the breath is stilled, the mind becomes still [6:69:41]. By the cessation of prana, cessation of the mind takes place. Even as the shadow follows the body, so does the mind follow the prana [5:13:83]

The practice of Pratyahara gives us complete mastery over the sense organs or the Indriyas. We are then no longer slaves to our sense organs and are able to look inward and find our highest Self – the true purpose of yoga.