Still Waters Run Deep

For those who are unfamiliar with the term Drishti, it is a Sanskrit word that comes from yoga. “The practice of Drishti is a gazing technique that develops concentration and teaches you to see the world as it really is. In yoga, Drishti is a point of focus where the gaze rests during a posture and meditation practice—gazing outward while bringing awareness inward”. In non-yogi terms, a Drishti is simply a focal point that brings stillness and attention to all that is occurring in that moment. There is no judgment or urgency…just an opportunity to be fully present with the experience.I understand that learning how to be still – especially in a state of discomfort – is a less than appealing thought. It means that instead of covering up or running away from your pain, fear, or hurt, you face it with the heart of a warrior; you seek the lesson rather than surrender to defeat; and you muster the courage to embrace your vulnerability instead of placing blame. Habits of avoidance, diluting, and/or dramatizing do not breed authenticity or true intimacy. On the contrary, those who make a lifestyle out of turning a blind eye, wearing rose colored glasses, or declaring that the world has done them wrong in some irreparable way, are typically the ones who suffer with issues like depression, anxiety, addiction, people pleasing, and other intrusive symptoms that are more life-sucking than they are life-giving.The practice of Drishti is not meant to push you past your limits in ways that perpetuate or exacerbate your suffering. It is meant to teach you, however, that you are likely stronger than you think and have the capacity to withstand more than you’ve probably imagined you ever could. If we bypass healthy opportunities to stretch, we risk living beneath our potential. The ramifications of that reality are far more uncomfortable and costly than the temporary burn of expanding yourself into the thrill of a new perspective that shifts your mind, frees your spirit, and wakes you up to the life you’re meant to live.Whether it’s through yoga or some other channel, find your Drishti and practice with it. Make it a part of your life and take comfort in knowing that no matter what life brings, you’ll always have a place to go inside and outside yourself that engages all your senses and connects you to your truest self in the most powerful way. Breathe in to everything you find, take what you need, and let go of what you don’t.