After pranayam, pratyahar - returning back home - is possible.

After pranayam, pratyahar - returning back home - is possible.

And after pranayam, breath regulation, is pratyahar, abstraction. Pratyahar is the same as what Christians have termed 'repent'. However, 'repent' in Hebrew means "to return" -- not repent but 'returning', 'to return', 'going back'. The toba of Mohammedans is also incorrectly translated as 'repenting.' That too has become colored with the meaning of repentance; toba actually means 'returning back'.  And pratyahar is also returning back, coming back, coming in, turning in, 'returning home'.

After pranayam that is possible -- pratyahar -- because pranayam will give you the rhythm. Now you know the whole spectrum: you know in what rhythm you are nearest to home, and in what rhythm you are farthest from yourself. Violent, sexual, angry, jealous, possessive, you will find you are far away from yourself; in compassion, in love, in prayer, in gratitude, you will find yourself nearer home. After pranayam, pratyahar - return - is possible. Now you know the way -- then you already know how to step backwards.