8 Limbs of Yoga: manifest your dreams -- if you still want them (Part 3)

These next two limbs leave the physical world to embark on the wickedest and most profound adventure you can have: the taming of the mind. When you can finally declair that you are the debonair mind whisperer, a whole universe (literally) opens; brighter and simpler than all that we know.

- To learn about the limbs that precede these two, click here , then here.-

5. Pratyahara.

Pratyahara means to control the senses. It is to retreat into the mind, the universe within, and not be teased out by the senses such as sound, sight, touch, smell and so on.

Have you concentrated so intensely the world around seemed to disappear? Then you might understand where Pratyahara is coming from. The difference is that a lot more can happen, besides the world disappearing, if you focus that much using special meditation techniques.

To achieve Pratyahara, one needs to sever the link between the mind and the senses. Incredible things happen within the body when this occurs, as the vital force of the body – that normally flows outwards - reverses and streams back into the chakras.

Pratyahara requires a strong ability to concentrate, and a lot of practice to champion this technique. To beginners, meditation can feel like trying to re-fold a bunch of screwed up wet newspapers, until the internal world begins to calm down. Pratyahara will come though, I assure you. After all, we're talking science here!

The Ambassador to MexicoDrugs and alcohol influence one's chances of success for this limb. The nervous system needs to be well fortified for Pratyahara. As in, fortified by optimum health, not by margarhita shots.

This is the only limb that requires mastery before gatekeepers of the higher limbs let you past.

 6. Dharana.

Dharana means immovable concentration of the mind. This limb is about concentrating all of our attention in one direction. Where Pratyahara is the practice of sense withdrawal, Dharana takes that latent force and focuses it in one place.

When this happens, the mind, intellect and ego transforms into a state of stasis. The inner universe at this point turns from dark to light. People describe Dharana as a very personal and spiritual experience.

With a mind so strong as to enter the state of Dharana, one's will power is, by default, able to manifest any goals that we may have in the material world. Ironically, Dharana is often so fulfilling, the very same goals that we once had fall away in preference to the invisible fruits of this spiritual experience.

Repeat this with your Sensei accent:

Practice as if you mean it.

What ever arises in your meditation, be indifferent. Concentration is all that you require.

 8 Limbs overview

Comments

[Jules]

A science?

[Yoga Leaks]

Yes. A science because anyone can repeat the practice and realise the same results. Also an art, because it requires an element of creativity and intuition to work with the higher limbs.