Samyama - Internal Limbs of Yoga YS III - 7

Yoga Sutra III - 7 -TRAYAM ANTARANGAM PURVEBHYAH - These three [dharana, dhyana and samadhi] are more internal that the preceding five limbs.


Swami Satchidananda tell us "In Ashtanga Yoga, dharana, dhyana and samadhi are the more antaranga, or inner practices. Even to practice yama and niyama, you need the outside world. How will you practice non-injury if there is nothing outside to injure? How to deal with the outside world is taught through yama and niyama. Even your body is an outside world for you, so in asana you do something with your body; in pranayama you do something with your prana; in pratyahara you do so mething with your senses. But dharana, dhyana and samadhi are totally inward. They are on the mental level. That is what Patanjali means by saying these three are more inner than the preceding five."

From "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood we are told that the first five limbs of yoga are only a training ground for the aspirant in preparation of samyama (concentration, meditation and absorption). "The mind and senses have to be purified by the cultivation of ethical virtues and the whole organism has to be strenghtened in order that it may be able to undergo the tremendous experiences that await it. " We are further informed that this is just the beginning and even in samyama perfection is just the beginning. "For whenever we are inclined to feel proud of some tiny indication of spiritual growth in ourselves, we shall do well to remember Brahmananda's amazing and sobering words : 'Spiritual life begins after samadhi.' "

See related posts:

• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29
• Yama - Abstinence YS II - 30
• Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32
• Asana - Posture YS II - 46
• Pranayama - Breath Control YS II - 49
• Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the Senses YS II - 54
• Dharana - Concentration YS III - 1
• Dhyana - Meditation YS III - 2
• Samadhi - Contemplation YS III - 3
• Samyama - Last Three Limbs of Yoga YS III - 4

Pratyahara - Supreme Mastery YS II - 55

Yoga Sutra II- 55 - TATAH PARAMA VASYATENDRIYANAM - Then follows supreme mastery of the senses.

Swami Satchidananda tells us "By proper practice of Pratyahara, your senses come fully under your control. They become obedient horses, taking you wherever you want. You become a complete master over them." He informs us that we should not feel like we losing anything by avoiding sensual pleasures, but instead, even though we may feel tension at first, later we can really feel proud of gaining mastery over the senses. Satisfying the senses gives momentary pleasure followed by a great dejection afterward. "The happiness we can receive by mastery lasts longer than temporary joys." " If you are free from your own mind and senses, nothing can bind you; then you are really free." We are told that even imperial power or dictatorship can never bind us as a result of this mastery of the senses. This mastery is everyone's birthright. "If we have that control, we can do whatever we want, find peace and joy within and share the same with all humanity."

This sutra ends the second book (Book Two) Sadhana Pada (portion on practice) of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Stay tuned - the accomplishments or benefits of the practice will follow.

See related posts:

• Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the Senses YS II - 54
• Are you Aware of Your Senses? YS I -35
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29

Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the Senses YS II - 54

Yoga Sutra II- 54 - SVA VISAYASAMPRAYOGE CITTA-SVAPRUPANUKARA IVENDRIYANAM PRATYAHARAH - When the senses withdraw themselves from the objects and imitate, as it were, the nature of mind-stuff, this is pratyahara.
Swami Satchidananda starts his commentary with "With pranayama, the mind is still not completely fit, because there are other things that will try to pull the mind here and there---namely, the senses. " He tell us how the senses will tell the mind "Ah, there is a wonderful thing in this showcase. Come on, why not buy it?" Or something might smell great, the mind might be quiet, but the nose will be activated, the tongue will salivate, the eyes will want to see what is smelling good. "We must have a good rein over these turbulent senses."

"In the Bhagavad Gita the battle with the senses is explained, in an esoteric way, as a battlefield. The battlefield is the world, the turbulent life which distracts us. Arjuna, the individual self, is confused by it and goes to the Lord, Sri Krishna, for help." After Krishna becomes his charioteer, Arjuna becomes more steadfast and calm when Krishna has the reins of the chariot's white horses, symbolized by the eyes, nose, ears, tongue and sense of feeling. The senses are referred to as the pancha indriyas, or the five sensory organs. "These organs should be offered to the Lord's service. When they are engaged in that manner they are controlled." We are told that unless the five sensory organs are properly controlled or engaged, "they will always drag the mind outside."

Swami Satchidananda informs us that "The senses are like a mirror. Turned outward, they reflect the outside; turned inward, they reflect the pure light." Further more he tells us that the senses are like a gateway allowing the externals into the mind. And since the mind takes form of what it sees (the law of perception) "when we have sense control we only allow the mind to take the forms we want." He gives examples of how the senses are made to engage in spiritual pursuits in the Hindu system ( in the temples).

At the end of the commentary Swami Satchidananda states "Pratyahara is another way of controlling the mind." Gaining mastery in pratyahara is not easy and one shouldn't delude themselves even after a few years, as one can slip . In order to achieve full value of Yoga, all the precautions should be adhered to qualify ourselves. "We shouldn't go to extremes but should have limitations."

Related posts:

• Are you Aware of Your Senses? YS I -35
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29
  

The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29

Yoga Sutra II- 28 - YOGANGANUSTHANAD ASUDDHI KSAYE JNANADIPTIR A VIVEKAKHYATEH - By the practice of the limbs of Yoga, the impurities dwindle away and there dawns the light of wisdom, leading to discriminative discernment.

Swami Satchidananda states that from this point on, Patanjali gives different ideas about Yoga practice as it is divided into eight stages or limbs. This is why the sutras are referred to as Ashtanga Yoga or eight limbs. Patanjali is now covering the information already given, but in a more practical way as to remove the impurities of the mind.

Yoga Sutra II- 29 - YAMA NIYAMASANA PRANAYAMA PRATYAHARA DHARANA DHYANA SAMADHAYO STAV ANGANI - Yama = abstinence; niyama = observance; asana - posture; pranayama = breath control; pratyahara = withdrawal of the senses; dharana = meditation; samadhayh = contemplation, absorption or superconscious state; ashta = eight' angani = limbs or part

The eight limbs of Yoga are:
1. yama (abstinence)
2. niyama (observance)
3. asana (posture)
4. pranayama (breath control)
5. pratyahara ( sense withdrawal)
6. dharana ( concentration)
7. dhyana ( meditation)
8. samadhi (contemplation, absorption or superconscious state)

Yoga as Inspiration

Yoga for me is inspiration. It makes me stay positively connected to the joy that is part of my true nature. It makes me excited. It is life! The word inspiration means the act of breathing, which we definitely need to live.

To me yoga is like the water for a plant and if it does not get watered it dies. Or if you have a mirror and it is not cleaned periodically it gets dusty. Pretty soon it gets dull and not reflective, therefore one cannot see an image in it.

The mind is like a mirror and it can become dull as well. When one practices yoga , one keeps the mind clear of cobwebs and body fresh. I like to compare the body to a car. If you don't clean the air filter the car will literally stop and won't run. The same with the lungs. If we don't breathe full and deeply, we have low energy levels and become tired and lazy. Of course we know that if there is no oxygen within a few minutes the body dies.

According to Pantanjali there are eight limbs of yoga. Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras II - 29 "Yama Niyamaasana Pranayama Pratiyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhayo 'Stavangani" translated as the eight limbs of yoga: 1. Yama (abstinence);2. Niyama (observance); 3. Asana (postures); 4. Pranayama (breath control); 5. pratyahara (sense withdrawal); 6. dharana (concentration); 7. dhyana (meditation); 8. samadhi (contemplation, absorption or super-conscious state).

As we become aware and study the many branches of yoga, we can use them accordingly. Like when one practices hatha yoga (asanas) everyday, one is tuning up the body, keeping the blood flowing and the joints lubricated. Or when one practices dhyana (meditation) regularly we can keep the mind clean. When yoga is practiced there is always inspiration and rejuvenation in more ways than one!

Stay tuned for more. You can check out http://www.bometernally.com/