Hello Radiant Souls.
My name is Nola Bloom and today's meditation will delve deep into the profound practice of cultivating mental clarity through the ancient art of Drishti.
In the yogic context,
Drishti is a focal point that directs our gaze during the practice of asanas or yoga postures.
By fixing our gaze on a specific point,
We enhance our concentration,
Find equilibrium,
Quiet the mind,
And establish a deeper connection between the body,
Mind,
And spirit.
This technique of visual concentration is intricately linked to the concept of pratyahara,
Withdrawal of the senses,
And dharana,
Focused concentration.
These are the fifth and sixth limbs of the Eightfold Path of Yoga,
As expounded by the sage Patanjali.
The eight limbs of yoga,
As outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras,
Provide a comprehensive roadmap to spiritual and mental development.
Drishti is a valuable tool that supports your progress through these limbs.
You may have heard the phrase,
Where attention goes,
Energy flows,
And this is the very essence of Drishti.
Focusing our attention on specific points enables us to transcend external distractions and turn inward,
Cultivating inner stillness and presence.
With our physical eyes closed,
We open our cosmic eye,
Diving into the realm of inner vision and clarity.
And this practice isn't limited to yoga and meditation.
It can be a few-minute pause to regain focus amidst a busy workday,
An anchor to ground you in a moment of anxiety,
Or a soothing bedtime ritual to ease yourself into a deep,
Peaceful sleep.
In Ashtanga Yoga,
There are nine different Drishtis,
Eight of which are performed with the eyes open for balance and postural alignment,
And one Drishti is performed with the eyes closed,
Focusing on the space between the eyebrows,
Also known as the third eye.
In today's meditation,
We will explore this particular Drishti,
Known as Bhrumadaya Drishti or Ajna Chakra Drishti.
Now let's begin our meditation by finding a comfortable seated position with a straight spine.
Close your eyes and start to slow the breathing down.
Allow the breath to become full,
But remain feeling natural.
And with each breath,
Release any tension in your body.
Now gently turn your awareness to your Ajna Chakra Drishti,
The space between the eyebrows,
And relax all of the muscles of the brow.
The gaze should be soft without straining the eyes,
Yet focused and steady.
Become very aware of the gentle sensation in that area.
This is your point of concentration,
Your Drishti.
Imagine a luminous star at this point,
Shining with wisdom and deep insight.
Imagine yourself on the shore of a serene,
Expansive lake,
Nestled in a tranquil land.
This lake symbolizes your mind in its purest form,
Thoughts like gentle ripples.
As you focus on your Drishti,
You notice the ripples calm and the lake becomes crystal clear.
Sense the profound stillness within you,
Mirroring the lake's tranquility,
And let it radiate throughout your entire being.
Maintain your inner gaze on your third eye Drishti,
Undisturbed by external distractions.
Acknowledge any thoughts that arise,
Gently guiding them back to the pristine waters of your consciousness.
As you gaze inward with your cosmic eye,
Repeat the following affirmations inwardly or voice them out loud.
I am the master of my mind and my focus.
My inner vision is crystal clear,
And my awareness is razor sharp.
I release all distractions and embrace the serenity of this present moment.
Now take a moment to feel the power of these words infuse your being.
Maintain this focused gaze,
Allowing thoughts to come and go,
Like clouds passing through the midnight sky.
I will hold the space for these three minutes of silence,
And I will let you know when to return from the meditation.
Your three minutes begins now,
And gently start bringing awareness back into the body.
Take a nice deep breath.
Slowly open your eyes.
Thank you for joining me on this journey into the ancient practice of Drishti,
The gateway to mental clarity and focused concentration.
