What is Sravan Pratyahara? It is the pratyahara, where you become aware of the sounds around you. The best way to understand this is in the practice of Shava asana and Yoga Nidra. The process is to listen to the sound and then let it go.

It is like listening to the different sounds but not identifying them. One listens and then one listens to the next sound. One tries to listen to the softest sounds and the loudest sounds. What happens is that after engaging in the practice of Sravan Pratyahara, one becomes oblivious of the sounds. One remains undisturbed in the sadhana of Yoga Nidra.

I will share with you about my experience with Sravan Pratyahara. The Ashrama was situated near a railway track for freight trains. In those days, dear ones we had steam engines and there were a few diesel engines also. When the freight trains went, they rattled the ashram walls, and the whistle of the engine was like a banshee shrieking.

Well, it was while all this was happening one learnt meditation techniques. It was amazing as I never complained about the sounds. Now therein lies the secret. If one thinks one can meditate in a cave and learn what pratyahara is, it is not true. Why you will ask? Because if you are straining to control your senses, you are becoming tamasic. Your desire is intense, and the wish is to experience pratyahara.

Sravan Pratyahara enables one to not respond to loud and displeasing sounds. One does not react to the responses of the senses. They are all neutralized.

Learn more in my pratyahara series.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Ian Murphy on Unsplash