Sarva-dvarani sanyamya mano hridi nirudhya cha
Murdhnyadhayatmanah pranam asthito yoga-dharanam.

All the gates of the body restrained, the mind confined within the heart, one’s life force fixed in the head, established in concentration by Yoga.

Our sense organs are our doors of sensation, hearing, tasting, touching and seeing. Combined they work on our perception which enables us to be detached. Our heart indicates non-attachment of the mind to external objects. Our prana should not be allowed to rest on our excretory organs.

The vital air (prana), which is the charioteer and which is the nature of Iccha shakti (Iccha shakti is the power of Shiva which is intent on manifestation) should be placed on top of the head (murdani) which transcends all tattvas. On the level of Iccha shakti, both jnana and kriya shakti remain united. Iccha shakti which is identical consciousness is the will or desire arising in Shiva (as the result of the outward flow of bliss) to expand or create the universe. The placing of prana on top of the head is called control of the body (kaya nimaha).

Unrestrained thoughts

It is only through the senses and their objects the world enters our mind. When we use our senses impressions are created our mind dwells on them and the process of attachment is created. Therefore, when we practice our sadhana, one must not be influenced by one’s unrestrained thoughts. The gates to our senses have to be sealed and we have to lock our mind in our hearts. We must learn to restrict our senses and direct our mind towards aksharam, the imperishable Supreme Lord. Then it is possible to meditate on the Lord, uniting the consciousness with God (Yoga Dharanam).

Always, dear ones we must start with pratyahara and one of the best practices is Yoga Nidra.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Oleg Churakov on Unsplash