In Guru Dronacharya’s ashram, a simple archery test became a timeless lesson about focus. Pointing to a wooden bird on a distant treetop, the Guru instructed his students, “Take aim and strike its eye.” As the Kauravas and Pandavas raised their bows, Dronacharya asked each one, “What do you see?”

“I see the tree, the bird, and its eye,” said Bheem.

“I see the bird and its eye,” replied Yudhishthir.

“I see the bird… and sometimes Bheem,” Duryodhan admitted.

“The eye, Gurudev—the eye alone,” Arjun answered.

Arjun’s sharp and undivided focus cut through every distraction—a perfect display of deep concentration. But is this level of attention only for warriors and sages, or can we access it in daily life?

Let us find out.

The Science of Flow

Though the term ‘flow state’ has gained much popularity in recent times, the deep focus it describes has always been part of human experience.

Consider the following incident.

Ramakrishna Paramhansa once arrived in a town just after a Rath Yatra had passed. Curious, he approached a street artist who was immersed in his painting and asked, “Has the Rath Yatra gone by from here?” Without pausing his brushstroke, the artist calmly replied, “Of course not.” A neighboring shopkeeper overheard and objected, “Why are you lying to such a revered saint? The entire yatra just went by!” The painter responded quietly, “I did not see anyone.”

“But surely you must have at least heard the drums?” the neighbor asked. “No, I did not even hear that,” said the painter. Ramakrishna Paramhansa was taken aback. Standing where he was, he entered a brief meditative state, and soon realized the artist was telling the truth. He opened his eyes, offered pranam to the painter, and said, “People call me a Mahatma, but look at your focus!  You were so deeply immersed in your work that even the sound and sight of a huge procession could not penetrate your awareness.” Such deep mental absorption reflects the state psychologists now call ‘flow.’

It is a state where the conscious and subconscious mind come into deep alignment. The subconscious carries out most of the work effortlessly, while the conscious mind stays alert, navigating challenges, spotting opportunities, and staying free from distractions. Such a state is also typically seen in the performance of athletes. Consider a maestro tennis player. When the opponent strikes the ball, it returns in a fraction of a second—sometimes less than half or even one-fourth of a second. There is no room for thought or distraction. The player reacts instinctively. The cheers or noise from the crowd don’t register. Their mind is completely absorbed in the game. This is the essence of flow.

From Focus to Fulfilment

Beyond performance, deep focus uplifts our inner state.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi investigated this connection by studying the moments that make people feel the happiest in their daily lives. During his research, participants carried beepers that went off several times a day, prompting them to rate their happiness on a scale of 1 to 10 and note what they were doing at that moment. As expected, people reported being happy during light activities—chatting with friends, relaxing at the canteen, or savoring a good meal. But surprisingly, people experienced even greater joy and fulfilment when completely immersed in work.

Csikszentmihalyi then coined the phrase ‘to be in the flow’ because they seemed to be doing things almost automatically, just like water flowing effortlessly. In such a state, the experience of working on the task itself became intrinsically rewarding for them. The good news is that you can experience this zone in your own work. But to enter the flow state, certain prerequisites must be met:

1. A sense of meaning: You must genuinely feel that the work you are doing matters. When our actions are aligned with a higher purpose or inner values, we naturally feel more engaged. For example, a teacher who sees their job not just as a duty, but as a way to uplift young minds, finds joy in even routine tasks.
2. A level of challenge: The task must stretch your abilities just enough—not too easy to be boring, not too hard to be overwhelming. For instance, a student trying to memorize verses from the Bhagavad Gita may struggle initially, but as they persist, the challenge sharpens their focus and brings fulfillment. That sweet spot—where effort meets enthusiasm—is where flow happens.
3. Freedom from distraction: The mind, when scattered with distractions, loses power. Single-pointed focus (ekagrata) is key to inner mastery. A powerful image illustrates this: water vapor rises endlessly from oceans but accomplishes little. Yet when that same vapor is concentrated in a piston, it powers a locomotive. That is the difference between scattered energy and focused attention. Flow takes your raw effort and converts it into real impact.
4. Continuous feedback: Just as a singer adjusts their musical note by listening to their own sound and the harmony around them, we stay engaged in tasks when we receive feedback. Whether it is from inner reflection, results, or mentors, feedback keeps momentum and engagement alive.

Focus Like a Yogi

The great Sage Maharishi Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras, outlined three stages of deepening focus:

●        Dharana – the initial effort to concentrate the mind.

●        Dhyana – when that effort deepens into a steady, uninterrupted flow of attention.

●        Samadhi – a state of complete absorption, where the mind merges with the object of focus, undistorted.

When these three stages—concentration, meditation, and absorption—flow seamlessly into one another, Patanjali calls it Sanyam. This is more than control; it is a state of total inner alignment. In this state, awareness becomes razor-sharp, unwavering, and powerful. Whether directed towards worldly goals or spiritual practice, Sanyam leads to deep insight and excellence. And it is not merely a yogic discipline. It is the foundation of all transformation.

Every field—whether music, sport, or mathematics—requires deep, undivided attention. Sunil Gavaskar, one of cricket’s greatest batsmen, was once asked the secret to his remarkable success. He replied, “I keep my eyes on the ball.” That simple discipline of focus transforms practice into excellence. Ultimately, the highest aim of life is union with the Divine. And this spiritual goal also demands total absorption.

As Swami Mukundananda often emphasizes, the spiritual path requires more than passive belief; it demands wholehearted commitment. People often ask Swamiji, why he chose to become a monk, to which he gives a profound answer: “If I am the soul, and the soul is a part of God, then walking the spiritual path is as natural as two plus two equalling four.” Even Jesus Christ cautioned against half-heartedness: “Be either hot or cold. But if you are lukewarm, I will spit you out.” Shree Krishna declares in Bhagavad Gita Verse 4.40: Samśayātmā vinaśyati – “Persons who are of doubting nature suffer a downfall. For the sceptical souls, there is no happiness either in this world or the next.”

The great saints, sages, and gopis of Vrindavan did not skim the surface of devotion. They practiced total absorption in divine consciousness. Their minds did not waver; their hearts did not divide. Wherever they looked, they saw only Shree Krishna, which transformed their devotion into divine union. They found life’s highest treasure. As the saying goes, “Those who dared to dive deep found the priceless jewel at the bottom of the lake. But I, afraid of drowning, stayed at the shore—and missed the treasure.” Hence, those who commit fully, whether to a task, a path, or a purpose, uncover the richness hidden beneath the surface.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, most of us stay at the surface; pulled away by the noise of shallow distractions.

Cutting Through the Noise

If deep focus is the gateway to excellence and fulfillment, then distraction is the subtle thief that steals both. In our hyper-connected world, we often live like window shoppers: glancing at one task, drifting to another, never pausing long enough to go deep. A message pings, a headline flashes, and before we know it, the original thought has slipped away. This scattered attention leaves us feeling busy but not productive, stimulated but not satisfied. The novelty of switching tasks may feel rewarding in the moment but erodes our capacity to enter the very state of flow we seek.

Why does this happen?

Because the mind is wired for stimulation. Every scroll, ping, or snack offers a hit of dopamine, reinforcing the habit of constant movement. Over time, the brain learns to avoid effort and chase the next distraction. But true mastery—whether in work or on the spiritual path—requires the opposite: sustained effort, and the ability to stay with something long enough for depth to emerge. In psychology, a popular term is “attentional residue.” When we jump from one task to another without closure, a part of our mind stays behind. The more we switch, the more mental clutter builds up, dulling clarity and slowing performance. To guard our focus, we must learn to choose wisely—what to engage in, and what to ignore.

Swami Vivekananda once met a yogi who had spent fifteen years mastering the ability to walk on water. He declined to watch the display and then crossed the river by boat, saying, “What took you fifteen years, I did in two minutes. I would rather spend those many years mastering the mind.” His point was clear: Time is precious—invest it where it truly matters.

And there is one more powerful skill that strengthens focus—the ability to sit with boredom without reaching for distraction. Like Arjun focusing only on the bird’s eye, we can train ourselves to remain steady, even amid noise. Moments that once offered space for reflection—waiting in queue, walking alone, sitting quietly—are now filled with scrolling on our phones. But these pauses can be reclaimed. Let them be silent again. Try switching your phone to flight mode overnight. Let the mind rest, undisturbed. You won’t miss the world, but you might rediscover your inner stillness.

Conclusion

Flow is not a distant ideal reserved for monks or maestros. It is a state we all can access when we give our full attention to what matters. In a world of noise, focus is clarity. It helps us think better, feel lighter, and work with purpose. It is not about doing more. It is about being fully immersed, engaged, and alive to the moment. The magic of flow is not out there waiting to be found. Factually, it is already within you—waiting to be unlocked.

In the end, what you focus on shapes the course of your life.

The gopis saw only Shree Krishna.

Arjun saw only the bird’s eye.

What do you see?

Call to Action

If focus leads to flow in work and creativity, it is even more vital on the spiritual path!

Daily Sadhana is an online platform designed to help you cultivate that one-pointed attention essential for inner growth. With Swami Mukundananda as your personal spiritual coach, you will learn and practice timeless Vedic wisdom through structured, engaging daily lessons.

Each lesson includes: A powerful video lecture, key takeaways in review slides, guided meditation sessions, quizzes and practical exercises. Whether you are beginning or deepening your journey, Daily Sadhana brings spirituality into your daily life systematically and meaningfully.

Resources

●       Focussing your Mind 100% in Anything - 3 Levels of Focus Explained by Swami Mukundananda

●       3 UNTOLD Powers of a 100% Focussed Mind - Powerful Motivational Speech by Swami Mukundananda

●       4 Steps to Find Deep Focus of Mind - How to Achieve the state of Flow? | Swami Mukundananda

●       Staying Focussed for Long Hours - How to Fix the Biggest Weakness of Your Mind? | Swami Mukundananda