Yoga 

Buddhist meditation, meditation used in the practice of Buddhism, “includes any method of meditation that has Enlightenment as its ultimate aim”. The closest word for meditation in the classical languages of Buddhism is bhavana or “mental development”. Yoga is a vast system of spiritual practices for inner growth. To this end, the classical yoga system incorporates eight limbs, each with its own place and function. Of these, pratyahara is probably the least known. How many people, even yoga teachers, can define pratyahara? Have you ever taken a class in pratyahara? Have you ever seen a book on pratyahara? Can you think of several important pratyahara techniques? Do you perform pratyahara as part of your yogic practices? Yet unless we understand pratyahara, we are missing an integral aspect of yoga without which the system cannot work. The initial endeavour in Buddhist meditation is to calm and quiet the mind so that it is fully alert but has temporarily diminished the quantity of daydreaming, planning, reminiscing, and all other forms of verbal and visual thinking. This goal can only be approached gradually, and therefore the beginner should start his practice by focusing his attention on some quiet, readily available, rhythmic process. Respiratory movements are ideal for this purpose. This book contains the fundamental and basic information of subject and the selection of contents makes it an appropriate textbook for the students. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Pratyahara: The Forgotten Limb of Yoga Sutra 3. Buddhist Meditation 4. The Buddhist Analysis of Mind 4. The Control of Psychic Prana 6. Concentration and Meditation 7. Prayer and Meditation 8. The Therapeutic Action of Vipassana 9. The Principles of Yoga.