Pratyahara: The Door to the Inner World

Exploring the Depths of the Mind through Pratyahara

Abstract

The realms of the mind have always fascinated psychologists and philosophers. A great deal of work has been done in the west to unravel the mysteries of the mind. In India the yoga sutras of Patanjali have dealt in depth towards understanding the mind. The present paper deals with the characteristics of the mind. In doing so yoga explains the importance of pratyahara. It is the technique of shutting off the external world thus stopping the entire input to the mind. Various methods are given of how pratyahara is to be accomplished according to ones bent of mind. Once achieved it opens the gate to the inner world leading and guiding to the antaranga yoga of dhyana, dharana and finally Samadhi.