Pratyahara (Withdrawing the Mind from Sense Perception)   Pratyahara is the liberation of the senses from the objects that attract them. The word means "reversal" or "withdrawal"; it indicates that the normal outward flow of the senses can return to their origin in the mind.   The first four limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are external methods, the last three limbs are internal processes, and the fifth limb, pratyahara, is the bridge between the external and internal practices.   Normally the mind wanders involuntarily from the mental image of one sense object to another, and a desire is created. This desire pulls the mind outward. Awareness of this process is the beginning stage of pratyahara. By the practice of yama, niyama, asana, and pranayama the mind gradually withdraws from outer objects, turns inward, and concentrates on the Self. The senses follow the mind, withdrawing from the objects that attract them, and turn inward. Then the mind can go easily into dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.    Pratyahara is practiced by repeatedly pulling the mind back from going outward. Various methods are useful to help in pratayhara: mantra (the uttering of secret sounds), japa (repetition of mantra or a name of God), puja (worship), trataka (gazing), kirtana (chanting), mudra (literally "seal", "lock"), and nyasa (projecting the divine principle onto various parts of the body). Two additional practices of pratyahara which are explained in detail in this book are arati (worship of light), page 56, and mudra, page 60. Continue (Dharana)     The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga Yama Niyama Asana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhi