The Filters of Perception: Harnessing Discernment to Shape Our Reality
Colorful leaves on a string symbolize mindfulness and the spectrum of perception.
What Are Filters of Perception?
Have you ever wondered how we see color? It’s a fascinating phenomenon. While all colors are always present, our eyes are built to perceive only a specific spectrum range. This might seem like an oversimplification, but it speaks volumes about how we experience the world—not as it truly is but through the lens of our perception.
Our bodies are remarkable filters. They are designed to help us focus on what matters most for our survival and well-being. Imagine, for a moment, being fully aware of every sensation, sound, and sight around you all at once. The sheer volume of sensory information would be overwhelming. If you’ve ever been to a concert where your senses were bombarded by pulsating lights, booming sounds, and even the lingering scents of the crowd and venue, you’ve likely experienced the limits of sensory overload.
Our filters help us manage this flood of input by selecting what to focus on. However, this process of filtering isn’t just biological—it’s deeply influenced by our past experiences, emotions, and choices. This is where practices like yoga become transformative. Yoga doesn’t remove sensory noise, but it offers us a new lens through which to process it, enabling us to discern what truly matters in any given moment.
Viveka: Yoga’s Lens of Discernment
In the Yoga Sutras, this lens is described as viveka, or discernment. Viveka is the practice of discriminative wisdom—the ability to distinguish between two objects, qualities, or activities. The sutras teach us that the remedy for ignorance, or avidya, is an unwavering flow of this discriminative discernment. It’s the clarity that allows us to see beyond distractions and illusions, enabling us to focus on what is real, meaningful, and beneficial.
We all use discernment in everyday life. Think about the lessons you’ve learned from past mistakes. Over time, those lessons become part of your decision-making framework to navigate challenges, improve your outcomes, and increase your chances of success. This is one-way discernment shows up: as the wisdom we gain from experience.
But discernment isn’t just about avoiding pitfalls or making better decisions. It’s also about choosing what we allow into our awareness. Gratitude, joy, and appreciation are always present, just like all the colors in the spectrum. They’re waiting for us to notice them, to acknowledge their presence in our lives. We can focus on these qualities through discernment, letting them enrich our experience of the present moment.
Gratitude and Joy: Choosing Your Focus
A personal story comes to mind for me when I think of this concept. A few months ago, I was rushing through a particularly stressful day. My to-do list was endless, and I felt like I was running on autopilot. But as I walked outside to my car, something small but profound happened—a breeze passed by, carrying the scent of fresh rain with it. For a brief moment, I paused and allowed myself to experience it fully.
In that pause, everything shifted. The stress didn’t vanish, but I suddenly felt connected to something bigger than my to-do list—a sense of gratitude for nature, for the simple joy of being present. That fleeting moment reminded me how much beauty surrounds us when we choose to see it.
Yoga teaches us that while we cannot control everything about the flow of sensory input in our lives, we can influence how we respond to it. By practicing discernment, we shape the lens through which we view the world. We learn to filter out what doesn’t serve us—fear, negativity, and distraction—and to amplify what does: gratitude, compassion, and joy.
So, here’s a question: What filters are you using today? Are you focusing on the noise, or are you letting the colors of joy, gratitude, and appreciation come into view?
A Simple Meditation to Practice Discernment
Take five minutes to practice this meditation and tune your lens toward clarity and gratitude:
Find a comfortable position: Sit or lie down in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, letting your body relax.
Focus on your breath: Let your awareness settle on the natural rhythm of your breath. Feel the rise and fall of your chest or the sensation of air moving in and out through your nostrils.
Notice what arises: As you breathe, pay attention to the flow of thoughts, sensations, or emotions. Without judgment, simply notice them, as if you are observing clouds passing in the sky.
Choose your focus: Now, gently guide your awareness to something you feel grateful for. It could be a recent kind act, a personal achievement, or even the simple act of breathing. Allow yourself to linger on this feeling of gratitude.
Discern your attention: As distractions arise, practice discernment by letting them go and returning to your chosen focus. Remind yourself that you have the power to choose where your attention flows.
Close with intention: After a few minutes, take a deep breath and slowly open your eyes. Carry this sense of clarity and gratitude with you into the rest of your day.
Discernment is a skill, and like any skill, it strengthens with practice. By filtering out the unnecessary and focusing on what truly matters, we can shape a life that reflects the beauty and depth we aspire to experience.