Controlling thoughts to divert the mind to the right path is Pratyahara.
dattaswami
Posted 2010-07-20 9:46 PM (#124204)
Subject: Controlling thoughts to divert the mind to the right path is Pratyahara.


Controlling thoughts to divert the mind to the right path is Pratyahara.

The person becomes fully healthy and attains mental peace by the control of thoughts (chittavrutti Nirodhah….Yoga Sutra). The thought is controlled so that it is diverted from the world to use it in the direction of devotion (Vyavasayatmika…Gita). A horse is controlled by the owner so that it will not have freedom to go as it likes in the wrong directions. Therefore, controlling thoughts to divert the mind to the right path is Pratyahara. It is withdrawal of mind (Kurmonganiva….Gita) but not destruction of mind (Manolaya Yoga). The preachers are talking about the dissolution of thoughts which is equal to killing the horse. By doing so the horse cannot be used in any direction. The purpose is lost.

One medicine to cure the tooth pain was advertised like this: by using this medicine you will never get pain for any tooth because this medicine will remove all the teeth from your mouth! Similarly, if you kill the mind, the problems and all worries have ended once for all. By killing the horse, the problem in controlling it is solved forever! Such a state in which the thoughts are dissolved and the mind is destroyed results in the state of a stone in human form. You will become the statue of the human being carved in a stone!



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ilchileesedona
Posted 2014-03-11 2:35 AM (#211343 - in reply to #124204)
Subject: Re: Controlling thoughts to divert the mind to the right path is Pratyahara.



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Posts: 210
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Great read buddy, thanks a lot for this.
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