One point of focus

tatraikāgraṃ manaḥ kṛtvā yatacittendriyakriyaḥupaviśyāsane yuñjyādyogamātmaviśuddhaye

Seated there, make the mind one-pointed, rein in thought and senses, and practise yoga to purify the self.

What it means

Once seated, Krishna says, gather the mind to a single point. Let the senses settle. Let thoughts slow. This is yoga as practice, and its purpose is not just relaxation. It is purification, a gradual clearing of the inner self, like water becoming still and clear.

The story

There is a well-loved story of young Arjuna's training. Drona sets a wooden bird in a tree and asks each student what he sees. Trees, sky, the teacher, they say. Arjuna says, I see only the bird's eye. He alone is told to shoot.

In your life

Lucas eats lunch at his desk while answering emails and scrolling the news. Today he tries one thing only. He eats slowly, tasting every bite, with nothing else open.