Yoga Nidra, Concentration and Meditation Techniques Flashcards
Define Pratyahara
Gaining mastery over external influences
What is pratyahara?
- To withdraw the senses from their external objects and turn them inward
- Train our sense organs to remain quiet and detached from outer stimulation (our senses no longer take us outward or distract our internal practice)
- Controlling our sensory impressions
What are the four main forms of pratyahara?
- Indriya P (control of senses)
- Karma P (control of action)
- Prana P (control of vital energy)
- Mano P (withdrawal of the mind from the senses)
Why is pratyahara important?
It bridges the gap on our eightfold path between all the external practices of yoga and the internal, bringing us closer to Samadhi. Gaining mastery over the senses is a prerequisite to successful meditation.
In yogic thought, what are the three levels of ahara (nourishment)?
1) Physical food
2) Impressions
3) Associations
Ahara: Physical food?
Brings in the 5 elements to nourish the body
Ahara: Impressions?
Brings in the subtle substances necessary to nourish the mind
Ahara: Associations?
The people we hold at heart level, who serve to nourish the soul
How does indriya pratyahara work?
- Control of the senses
- Gives the tools to strengthen the spirit and reduce its dependence on the body (not suppression but proper redirection)
- Antidote to sensory overload
What does prana pratyahara involve?
- Control of vital energy (prana)
- Control over prana allows for control of our senses
- Withdraws prana (unlike pranayama which generates it)
- Practice = withdraw prana from different parts of the body and direct it to where you wish to fix the attention
- e.g. Visualising the death process (best method) - visualise prana (life force) withdrawing from the body step-by-step from feet to head, shutting off the senses
How does karma pratyahara work?
- Control of actions
- Controlling the motor organs
- Right work and actions give control over the motor organs
- Two parts:
1) Outer action - service
2) Inner action - rituals - Surrendering any thoughts of personal rewards for what we do, and doing everything in service
- Practice of austerity: disciplined spiritual practice that purifies the body and mind of anything that prevents/blocks connection with the higher self. Removing obstacles that prevent the yogi from growing spiritually
1) Physical austerity: yamas and niyamas
2) Austerity of speech: speaking truthfully and kindly
3) Mental austerity: Meditative practice, maintaining calmness, gentleness and self-restraint
What are the 3 types of austerity under karma pratyahara?
1) Physical austerity: yamas and niyamas
2) Austerity of speech: speaking truthfully and kindly
3) Mental austerity: Meditative practice, maintaining calmness, gentleness and self-restraint
What are the two parts of karma yoga?
1) Outer action - service
2) Inner action - rituals
What is mano pratyahara?
- Mind withdrawal
- Withdrawing the mind from mental impressions
- (When the mind is controlled, the senses are automatically controlled)
- Withdrawing our attention from unwholesome impressions wherever they arise
- Highest form of pratyahara and the most difficult. If we have not gained proficiency in the previous 3 pratyaharas, mano pratyahara is unlikely to work