First step in Pratyahara

Sri Swamiji said,

It should be understood that pratyahara means withdrawing the mind from the objects of sense experience, then the senses function according to the mind, and not vice versa. The capacities of smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing are withdrawn from their objects and then the senses begin to follow the mind inward and not outward. This is withdrawal of the mind from the sense activities so that the sense organs also become introverted with the mind; they imitate the mind and follow it inside.

This is his description of pratyahara. Continue reading

839 – Sacred Space

Space verily is greater than radiance.
For in space are the sun and moon,
Lightning, stars and fire.
Through space one calls,
Through space one hears
Through space one replies
In space one delights
Or does not delight…
Meditate on space.

That which is Brahman is also the space outside the body.
That which is the space outside the body is also inside the body.
And that which is the space inside the body is also the space within the heart.
That treasure within the heart is full and unchanging.
He who knows this is always full and not subject to change.

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181 – How to develop Psychic Awareness?

Our individual consciousness is known as awareness. It is immortal and it is mixed with sense, body and mind awareness. This awareness is the form of ‘I am’. With this comes awareness of my body, my senses, my mind, and my identity. We learn how to purify our awareness in the sadhana of Yoga. Continue reading

099 – Do you know your own self

Do you know your own self as well as you know your own house. You know where everything is in place in your home. You know your bookshelves, what is in your kitchen, in your cupboard. When you lay the table, you take the cutlery out of the drawers, place the plates, etc. There is no confusion in your mind. If you invite someone for a meal, you may take out your grandma’s lace tablecloth and your mother’s silver. Your writing desk, what is in the drawers, your files, your clips, stapler, everything is in place. You know where your cheque books are kept, have an idea how much you have in the bank. You are very familiar with your home. Continue reading