Sankara's 'thousand teachings' on the distinction between the senses, mind, body, intellect, and the true Self. In translating as well as in drawing up the notes, the author has closely followed the authoritative commentary of Ramatirtha.
Those who have succeeded in attaching or detaching their minds at will have succeeded in Pratyahara, which means gathering towards, checking the outgoing powers of the mind, freeing it from the thralldom of the senses. When we can do this, we shall really possess character; then alone we shall have taken a long step towards freedom. Before that, we are mere machines.
-Swami Vivekananda