Dristi - Drawing Attention to One Still Point
What is drishti? In short, it is a focused gaze. Drishti is not a goal but more of a technique which is employed by the practitioner to “see” the true essence of the Self and is an intrinsic part of meditative practices. However, we may, with the encouragement of the teacher, have attempted to use it in yoga classes, for example gazing at the thumb in trikonasana (triangle pose) or looking at a fixed point when endeavouring to balance in vrikasana (tree pose), but there is much more to drishti than meets the eye – or gaze.
The meaning of drishti in Sanskrit is literally ‘sight’. But in the realm of yoga, both physical yoga and meditation, drishti is more than that. It is about developing concentrated intention by means of utilising the powerful sense of sight. Focusing the gaze on one specific point moves the attention of the mind inwards creating stillness and a stilling of the “monkey mind”.
This method of concentrating the gaze links in with not only the third limb of yoga, asana (posture) but also the fifth limb, pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses and the sixth limb, dharana – concentration.
In the early days of yoga practice, it is difficult enough attempting to mould our bodies into the shapes and postures of a physical class, let alone breathing whilst doing so and working out where to look. But as the body softens and strengthens, the poses become a well-known routine and the breath is incorporated into the practice. Now, it is helpful to incorporate drishti into the mix and start to work on our mind. If we can control our gaze, we may bring ourselves into the present moment and quell the internal dialogue. By using a drishti point our attention is thrust into the now and into the pose. If the gaze is wandering the temptation to lose focus by clock watching or envying the flexibility of the student on the next mat takes us out of that present moment and our experience of the practice will be incomplete. Our minds will either be in the past or the future and not in the now. There will be no union of body and mind and no yoga, just exercise.
THE NINE TYPES OF DRISHTI
The different types of drishti for each pose allow the gaze to be directed in such a way that the energy in the pose is maximised. So, for example, in seated forward bends, the padayoragram drishti can be used to extend the torso towards the feet, while drawing the body into correct alignment.
There are nine different types of drishti, as taught in the Ashtanga yoga method. These are:
Nasagram drishti – tip of the nose
Nasagram drishti – tip of the nose
Bhrumadhya drishti – between the eyebrows
Nabhi chakra drishti – navel
Hastagra drishti – hand
Padayoragram drishti – toes
Parshva drishti – far to the right
Parshva drishti – far to the left
Angushthamadhyam drishti – thumbs
Urdhv or antara drishti – up to the sky
DRISHTI IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Lessons learnt on the yoga mat transfer over into our everyday life. The lesson of focusing the sense of sight on one thing will allow that sense of being completely present to engulf us. The next time you take a walk in the sunshine fix your drishti point on something – a tree, flower, blade of grass and see how you feel.
