August 2024 Week 5

This week we discussed the 5th limb of yoga, Pratyahara. “Pratyahara is a Sanskrit word that means "withdrawal of the senses". The goal of pratyahara is to help the mind isolate itself from the involuntary intrusions of sensory activity by controlling how the senses react to external stimuli.  During pratyahara, the five senses still detect external stimulation, but the practitioner doesn't allow it to disrupt their state of mind. Instead, they draw their awareness inward and focus on internal stimuli, which can help them move closer to spiritual liberation by renouncing the material world.” (Paraphrased from excerpts found). In this limb we develop a mastery of external influences. It is always important to be reminded that yoga is much more than the physical poses, which is the 4th and only 1 limb of yoga. We try to use our practice and our time together to move inward which takes awareness and effort, touching on all the limbs of yoga.
In class I read a meditation from Melody Beattie entitled, Make Yourself At Home. The idea of the meditation is :”Once we accept ourselves unconditionally , no matter where we are, it will feel like home.” This felt important to me and our intention this month and this summer, My New Life Begins Now. Through my time with all of you and the intentions leading up to this month I truly feel like I have come home to myself, finally! There is a softening and an acceptance of myself which came through the work and focus of this summer with all of you as as well as a deepening of my connection to my higher power which has brought great comfort to me. I am grateful for my persistent spiritual work of meditation, prayer, journaling and yoga daily which has brought me to this freer place. Now having said all of this…….I do know I can still get knocked off the beam and I actually already have lol. The difference and the hope is that each time my negative feelings will not be as strong and I won’t stay off the path as long. I know where to come back to and how to get there and I know without a doubt that the work is worth it!