Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Drishti
Gazing at a fixed point to steady the mind and deepen concentration.
Point of focus·
Builds concentration·
Several common points
Meaning
What Drishti Means
Drishti is the method of gazing at a focal point during yoga practice and meditation, to increase concentration. Different points of focus stimulate different parts of the brain and nervous system, and by using a Drishti, the practitioner learns to control the mind rather than let it wander.
Focusing the gaze on one point lets the body's energy center in that direction. Letting the eyes move from side to side does the opposite: it distracts the mind and pulls attention away from the union of body, mind and spirit the practice is working toward.
In Practice
The Most Common Drishtis
- Third Eye Point (Shambavi Mudra): focus at the eyebrow point, root of the nose, eyes rising gently. Stimulates Sushumna and the pituitary, developing intuition.
- Tip of the nose (Agiaa Chakra Bandh): the maximum lock, also called Lotus Point Meditation. Balances Ida and Pingala into Sushumna, stimulating the pineal gland and frontal lobe.
- Lunar Point: eyes closed, looking down toward the chin. Refreshing and calming, helping to clear the mind.
- Crown of the head (Tenth Gate): eyes closed and turned upward, as if looking through the top of the head. Stimulates the pineal gland and crown chakra.
- Open to one-tenth: eyelids light and relaxed, barely open.
