Diving into the profundity of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, a keystone work in the yogic doctrine, one discovers the enlightening ashtanga or the "eightfold path". The term ashtanga, derived from Sanskrit, literally translates to "eight limbs" (ashta=eight, anga=limb). These eight elements serve as vital blueprints, guiding individuals towards a life filled with purpose, intention, and direction.
Our focus for today is the fifth limb, Pratyahara, exploring its relevance and application in the context of the contemporary Western society. Through the translations provided by Swami Shantananda, we can uncover deeper insights about Pratyahara from the Yoga Sutras.
2.54 signifies Pratyahara as the realization that our sensory experiences reside within our minds, suggesting a withdrawal of senses from their external stimuli. This withdrawal leads us to 2.55, a state where we attain profound control over our senses. In essence, Pratyahara embodies a sensory journey devoid of mental impressions or projections.
This concept is beautifully illustrated in an excerpt from an article penned by Judith Lasater for the Yoga Journal magazine on August 28, 2007.
Lasater delves into a practical exploration of Pratyahara through a commonly practiced yoga posture, Savasana or Corpse Pose. Known for promoting deep relaxation, Savasana commences with physiological relaxation, which is then followed by a process of gradual muscle relaxation, slowing of the breath, and ultimate surrender of the body.
However, the physical relaxation is only the prelude. Savasana progresses into the mental "sheath". As per yogic philosophy, individuals possess five sheaths or levels: the physical body (food sheath), subtle energy channels (vital or prana sheath), emotional reactions (mental sheath), the ego (consciousness sheath), and the soul's karmic experiences (bliss or causal sheath). The layers progressively symbolize subtler planes of consciousness.
In Savasana’s second stage, you experience a withdrawal from the external world, maintaining a level of contact without total detachment. This state of non-reactive sensory awareness is the essence of Pratyahara. This mental space, this pause between sensory stimulus and response, represents an embodiment of Pratyahara. You continue to receive sensory inputs, but your reaction to these stimuli is muted. It is being in the world, but not consumed by it.
Hence, the journey through Ashtanga, especially through the lens of Pratyahara, can yield profound insights into our sensory experience and mental processes, enriching our overall understanding of Yoga and its deep-seated philosophies.