04 Nov Pratyahara

As season change, I have this notion that my mind and energy flows along, parallel to the presence of the sun. This is something I notice especially here in the north of Norway, where the sun go from being present 24/7 in the summer, till only a few hours of twilight mid-winter. And as fall moves us closer to winter, I feel myself becoming more introverted. In the same way as we cuddle up inside a warm house or putting on warm clothes, I notice my mind turning inward. Finding myself having a spontaneous urge to retreat my energy, similar to how nature around me retreat chlorophyll in its greens.

This whole process of seasonal change make me think of PRATYAHARA, the 5th limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga. It describes the process of going from the outer practices, yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, to the inner practices of dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Pratyahara connotes introspection, the action of turning your awareness inwards, observing what is on the inside. Any movements within any of us as; thoughts, emotions (read: in motion) and feelings arising and passing. Pratyahara is the preparation of observing these movements.

Our senses absorbe the informationflow in our surroundings. Withdraw your senses and let them be mirrored in your mind. Like this, concentration can begin, and therefor the preparation for meditation. Our mind is like a spunge, and sometimes its just nice to give it a break!