Pratyahara, the Empowering Yoga Sutra

Pratyahara is the Sanskrit word for Self-Study or Self-Enquiry. According to Yoga Sutra 1:14, It is only when the correct practice is followed for a long time, without interruption and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, that we can succeed. It is usually accompanied by Pranayama and Svadyaya.

This same rule stands for almost anything first learned as an adult. The mind is full of filters which act thick mud which blocks us from knowing the truth. This is called perception. Perception is a personal truth based on stored memories, knowledge, trauma, and sensory experiences that cause the truth to be altered into misunderstanding.

Pratyahara is just one of the eight limbs of yoga intended to prepare us to know the truth. Without truth, we live is a constant cycle of resentment and retaliation, fear and anger, hatred, and self-involvement at an UNCONSCIOUS level. We have habits which forward these negative patterns, and we do not even realize we are acting in a way which blocks our growth.

We know from Yoga Sutra 1:30 that when we are sick, bored, doubting, not thinking ahead, fatigued, overindulgent, and overstimulated, the mud gets thicker.

Any enquiry of interest has the ability to calm the mind.

Any creative endeavor which takes your mind off avoiding or pursuing thoughts, emotions and sensory experiences can assist in the process of self-enquiry.

To know yourself is to know the truth about yourself.

To study yourself is to root out the causes of your inability to see the truth.

In Yoga Sutra 2.49–2.55 the practice of Pratyahara is described.

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