Fifth Limb of Yoga

Fifth limb of yoga: 

perhaps what fascinates me the most is the subtle, deeper meaning of these terms, such as pratyahara, the fifth limb of yoga that generally translates as withdrawal of the senses. This is the limb that takes us within, a bridge between the more physical means of yoga and its internal observations. Taken literally, we are meant to withdraw our senses from the outer world of stimulation and distraction and turn attention towards the infinite field of awareness that exists within us. Some may say that this is the true beginning of yoga, the inner-work, our initial approach to meditation and the bliss that's being offered. 

and here's where it grows more subtle, that we're not asked to truly withdraw from the world, nor to abandon the activities that give us pleasure, but simply to observe their incessant tug at our senses and how they keep us focused on the surface of our lives, never questioning their worth or if they truly bring us joy. That's the fifth limb of yoga, pratyahara, observing what pulls us away from our inherent sense of peace and satisfaction, seeing how and where our suffering is born, and being witness to how life unfolds through the lens of our attachments. Nothing needs to done here, no drastic changes made, only observing ourselves with compassion, lovingly, bringing notice to the all allowing field of our awareness. Change happens on its own through our continued effort to bear witness to reality, just being watchful as to how we engage with the world, smiling as we lose ourselves to the grip of our attachments and smiling even more as we return to the reality of our awareness. 

the fifth limb of yoga is a process really, being witness as well as the observed, not splitting between the two, but truly seeing how reality unfolds in seamless wonder, that life flows through this field of awareness, unattached to any outcome other than the simplicity and joy of its participation. Pratyahara is the practice of viewing ourselves in the light of this awareness, withdrawing from our attachments as a means of being more fully engaged with life, gaining a deeper commitment and appreciation to the reality of who we truly are. 

the fifth limb of yoga...is simply bearing witness. 

~

Peace, Eric