Hello May,

As the spring rain washing away the grime that accumulated with winter, yoga feels like a refreshing way to cleanse the body and mind. But how does the mind become clear? Lately, I’ve been considering the notions of focus and a clear mind, both an integral part of yoga. The common practice of “focus” involves placing attention on one thing to see that item clearly. On the other hand, “clearing one’s mind” frees one of the myriad of thoughts and impulses that distract attention away from something. Both practices redirect your attention away from something by drawing it towards something.

Focus or one pointedness brings you into the here and now. According to Patanjali’s Sutra 1.32 concentrating your attention on an object or word or image causes distractions to recede to the background, akin to a pin light, those thoughts are on the outside while your full attention is on that which absorbs you.

Clearing the mind, rather than fixating on a singular point, allows for a broader perception of reality. Your awareness expands, resembling a floodlight illuminating everything within its reach. This state of one-pointedness, known as "ekagrata," fosters an expansive mental state where attention remains steadfast in the present moment, rather than flitting from one thing to the next.

In our daily lives, we amass a plethora of information, thoughts, and emotions. Some we wish to linger on, while others we seek to escape. However, merely dwelling or fleeing from these stimuli amounts to reactive behavior. Instead, the practices of single focus and open awareness involve purposeful redirection of attention, both towards and away from stimuli. In doing so, we carve a clear path forward.

Whether you practice single focus or open awareness to clear your mind, the benefit is a fuller understanding of what’s motivating you-not driven solely by information, thought, or emotion-but by the clarity of inner wisdom.