“Our attention is the most valuable thing we have, and the visible world can be an addictive, overstimulating, and spiritually debilitating lure.”
~ David Life
I was chatting with a friend yesterday about her recent attendance at a workshop held by the great yogi Rodney Yee. What seems to have stood out for her was his continued redirection of students to what is known as “drishti” or our focal point. I guess he ‘called out’ alot of highly distracted and a few egocentric people!
As we practice, we are taught to focus our gaze on one of nine external focal points, often to help steady our mind through a challenging posture, with the intent that outward focus can then be brought inward. You will find that my eyes are generally half closed during much of class, following through my sense of hearing and heart alone.
David Life writes: As every yoga practitioner has discovered, even during practice we find ourselves looking at the pose, outfit, or new hairstyle of the student on the next mat. We stare out the window or at the skin flaking between our toes, as though these things were more interesting than focusing on ‘God realization’. Where our eyes are directed, our attention follows. When we get caught up in the outer appearance of things, our prana (vitality) flows out of us.
My friend said that Rodney Yee was speaking of drishti, not only in terms of being on the mat, but for life in general. We are so easily pulled off course, jumping from one idea to the next. Where is your focus, he asked ? What brings you here really ? What is your purpose ?
“Our eyes can only see objects in front of us that reflect the visible spectrum of light, but yogis seek to view an inner reality not normally visible. We become aware of how our brains only let us see what we want to see—a projection of our own limited ideas. Often our opinions, prejudices, and habits prevent us from seeing unity … Seeing the Divine in everything. Drishti is a technique for removing the ignorance that obscures this true vision”
So where is your “Drishti” today ? If you find yourself distracted, feeling scattered, breath alone can be a great drishti. Close your eyes for a second and simply bring your focus back to your breathing. Steady it. If it’s shallow, deepen it. Relax the shoulders. Then move on.
It’s Monday … Drishti re-established … You know I’m focused. I hope you are too ♥
