Distractions are part of our life. We cannot avoid them. Wherever you are, even in the midst of solitude, you will have distractions. I remember once I was sitting in a place which was so silent that the only sound was of my breath. This was at a height of 12,000 feet in a forest. I closed my eyes and then I heard the sound of dew drop. In the silence it was so loud. Of course I was distracted but I was so happy to hear the sound.

When I am working at home, I sit in the dining room. I start my writing and then I feel the gaze of my outside cats. They come and watch me, instead of looking at the birds and the bees. It is a strange feeling as they are totally silent, and unblinking. They are waiting for their next meal. If you shut yourself in a silent room, you will have distracting thoughts. Distractions are born from unmet needs, ignorance, and lack of awareness. If we just externalize all our responses, then our distractions and disturbances increase. The solution is to follow a yogic path, which initially comprises being aware and detached. I will give you a simple practice.

The practise

Take any asana, watch yourself practicing it, and be aware of your breathing. Just these two acts, reduce your distractions. If you wish to perform a static asana, inhale, hold your breath to the count of 11, while you are in the pose, then exhale and come back to the original position. You will find that you cannot think of anything else. Take Shava Asana. Lie on the floor, with your eyes lightly closed. Count your breath backwards from 54 to 0. Here you are aware of yourself lying on the floor in Shava asana, and you are concentrating on the counting of your breath.

Aim Hrim Klim