Discernment
Viveka
It seems like the flow of information and the call for action/reaction is growing stronger. The sources of information are more difficult to filter. It can be difficult to make clear and conscious decisions in this moment of overwhelming noise. Yoga philosophy offers some tools to help develop discernment or Viveka.
Viveka (translated as "discernment" or "wisdom") It is the ability to separate the real from the unreal, the permanent from the temporary, and the essential from the inessential. It’s the ability to see beyond surface appearances and to understand the deeper truths of existence.
One idea from yoga is that our mind is often clouded by illusions (maya), attachments, and distractions. These create a false sense of reality, leading to suffering and confusion. Through discernment, yoga practitioners learn to cut through these layers of illusion, seeing the world and themselves more clearly. This clarity is not simply intellectual but is also experiential — it emerges through mindfulness, self-awareness, and meditation.
For instance, when practicing meditation, we cultivate the ability to discern between thoughts that arise in the mind and the stillness that lies beyond those thoughts. We learn to see our emotions as temporary and fleeting, rather than identifying with them as permanent aspects of our identity. This is a form of discernment: recognizing that our thoughts, emotions, and experiences are not who we truly are, but rather passing phenomena that come and go.
Viveka is discussed in the Bhagavad Gita – one of the foundational texts of yoga. In it Krishna speaks to Arjuna about the importance of discernment in all aspects of life:
“Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest myself on earth.”
This passage suggests that through discernment, we recognize the imbalance in the world and take conscious action to restore equilibrium. This conscious action might mean standing up for justice, making ethical choices in our work, or simply practicing kindness and compassion.
In the context of yoga, discernment is not just a mental exercise but a spiritual practice that can lead us to clarity, peace, and ultimately, liberation (moksha). By cultivating viveka, we gradually uncover our true nature — a nature that is wise, clear, and eternally at peace. Whether through asana, meditation, or daily life, discernment is a guiding light that leads us toward greater freedom and self-realization.
*More about viveka at https://swamij.com/yoga-sutras-22629.htm.