9 August 2013 - QA 7

Dear Gurudev, what is meaning of Pratyahara in Ashtanga Yoga (referring to the one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga as given by Maharishi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Pratyahara means alternative food. It means to refrain or refuse from eating food that you usually have, and choosing something else to eat (referring to food more conducive to the body for spiritual practices). Our senses have a tendency to go outwards. To bring them inwards we need a different regime of food and set of thoughts. That is Pratyahara. Just as we give a pacifier to crying babies to calm them, similarly we give alternatives to a mind that is restless and not at peace. That is Pratyahara. Going inwards is the first step.