Clearing the Clouds
The Thinker, also known as The Poet, seems to be practicing Pratyahara, sense withdrawal.
On the ‘About’ page of this web site the metaphor of a wheel with eight spokes is used to represent the eight limbs of yoga which lead to finding equanimity, balance, clarity and enlightenment “To infinity and beyond!” if you are a Toy Story fan. The metaphor is a good one because it demonstrates that there is no hierarchy to the limbs. Each spoke has equal value in keeping the wheel spinning smoothly. The limbs are sometimes described as branches of a tree all growing at the same time. However tree branches closer to the ground form first and may be bigger and stronger than the top branches suggesting a touch of hierarchy. It is true that gaining understanding of some of the eight limbs is easier than others. The four already written about in this blog are, on a superficial level, easy to grasp even though one can go deeper and deeper into them as a yoga practice develops. Therefore we can feel a stronger connection to them and relate to them first, but just by doing yoga all limbs are developing equally whether we are aware of it or not. Repeat, just doing the practice we are concurrently strengthening all eight limbs consciously or not.
Let’s briefly recap the limbs or spokes of the wheel already addressed. The Yamas and Niyamas, personal observances and ethical restrictions, are perhaps the two limbs easiest to understand. Since birth we have learned good and bad habits and moral precepts, therefore we can relate to these two limbs quite readily. The Asanas or poses of yoga are also easy to relate to. They fall into the category of what we understand as exercise which we all know is important to a healthy life. Pranayama, or breath control requires a bit more thought because breathing is an autonomic or involuntary response. We normally don’t think about our breath unless something hinders it like a blocked nose, stitch from overexertion or chronic issue like asthma. Still, the concept of breath control can be readily learned and practiced.
From these four seemingly straightforward limbs we move on to a fifth, Pratyahara or withdrawal of the senses. Here we need to begin to learn some yogic philosophy from the ISHTA Yoga lineage founded by Mani and Alan Finger, the lineage Axle Yoga follows, to appreciate what is meant by sense withdrawal. For the immediate purpose it will be a very brief ‘teaser’!
No matter what our condition is, we are whole. Part of that entirety is made up of our lower mind and higher mind. The lower mind is attached to the senses and the higher is what we refer to as the soul, spirit or higher consciousness of a person. The lower mind relates to the world through our senses, which is fine but limited. It is made up of perceptions, a sense of self, memories and intellect all of which can be biased. All are shaded by perceptions shaped through our senses. However, we can be deceived by our senses. What we understand through them now may change with further experiences. These changed perceptions are a result of stepping back and seeing the larger picture. Getting too attached to our senses stifles our creativity and open mindedness to things we do not presently perceive.
Alan Finger says, “The aim of yoga is to remove the barriers that make us feel isolated from our bodies, our emotions, our fellow beings, our environment, and our spirit” (Introduction to Yoga, p. 30). He relates the story of five blind men who each touch a different part of an elephant. One who touches the trunk thinks it is a snake, one who touches the tail thinks it is a feather duster, one who touches a leg thinks he has touched a tree, one who touches the side feels he has come up to a wall and one who touches the ear thinks it is a tent. Individually and collectively they fail to identify the elephant which is why we need to be careful in trusting our senses because they do not always give the full picture.
Pratyahara or sense withdrawal helps us realise the higher mind and find true inspiration, joy and healing - in a word, enlightenment. It helps clear the clouds formed by misconceptions between the lower and higher minds. Practicing the Yamas and Niyamas simplify life, practicing Asana and Pranayama brings focus inward away from the outer world of the senses for a time. All help with sense withdrawal and to still the mind so we can experience our higher selves without obstruction.
We will stop with the yogic philosophy now. Three more limbs are yet to be spoken about and it is best to allow time for thought and reflection! Just for fun, find a seat in The Thinker's pose. It’s astounding how this particular attitude turns the mind inward, closing off the senses and creating fertile ground for stilling the fluctuations of the mind!
Pratyahara, sense withdrawal, is one of the eight limbs of yoga, one of the spokes keeping the wheel moving smoothly around the axle.