KEY TO CONCENTRATION - 1

OM Sri Gurubhyo Namah.
OM Sri Satguru Paramatmane Namah.
OM Sri Gurave Namah.
OM Sri Satchidananda Gurave Namah.
OM Sri Gurusharanam Mama.


Key to concentration

 My friend recently joined MBA course, she wanted to know how to build concentraion and focus, so that she can do well in studies.Swami parmananda , ramakrishna math , madras who spread vendanta in america and west give some useful practicle tips onconcentration,in a language that we can understand easily, and adpot them in life. The insights of his tips goes like this:

The practice of holding to one subject is the real key to concentration. Patanjali, the father of Yoga system , advocates this, and where ever we find its practical evidence, we find that this method has been applied. It is the one eternal principle in the mental control. The Fact is, we cannot do more than one thing at a time and do it well. But if we concentrate on that one thing wholly, we succeed not only in doing it well, we do it much more quickly , thus we save our time and energy for the next task which lies before us. This is very essential in every phase and department on of human interest.

Value of change:

Do not imagine, however, that the practice of concentration implies that you must dwell upon just one thing and do nothing else, even when you are tired , bored and discouraged through repeated unsuccessfully efforts. A change of physical and mental occupation sometimes is necessary and beneficial. You will go back to your task with fresh interest and renewed vigor , and naturally you will be able make greater progress.

Time vs concentration:

" The great difference between those who achieve and those who fail consists not so much in the amount of time devoted to work by each, but in the degree to which he intelligently applies his power, mental and physical to one purpose"

Discouragement an obstacle:

Do not be discouraged ever, as you struggle along the way. It is the greatest possible detriment to our progress, the worst obstacle you can create to block your path. One who is discouraged denies his true Self, his inherent, divine being..

Concentration a definite cure:

concentration is a definite cure for all manner of mental disturbances, As we focus our mind on a constructive principle, uneasiness, restlessness, worry, the attitude of self-depreciation, - all these ailments are crowded out of our system.

Co-ordination of whole man

Concentration does not depend upon how much time we spend, but on how well we hold ourselves together  As we are able to co-ordinate our body, our mind, and all our scattered forces and succeed in making them as one we realize in full measure our innate efficiency.

An excellent slogan:

There is nothing insignificant anywhere. This is an excellent slogan to carry in the mind. Give your attention to the smallest of tasks; do every thing with feeling, with true devotion-it is the best way to build up the habit of concentration. A small task well done will give you the power to do a bigger one better.

Wrong Concentration:

Wrong concentration, as well, may bring us moments of satisfaction through the gratification of our lower desires, but in the end it leads to the demoralization of our entire system;for wrong-doing can never earn for us the right to happiness.

By wrong concentration mean the deliberate focusing of mental energy in order to harm some one, Although temporarily a person may be successful in his ill use of this great power ever naturally it cannot fail to react upon him "He whose mind is not tranquil can know neither peace nor happiness"

Unconscious concentration:

Often, quite unconsciously, we concentrate on something what is detrimental. Violent emotion-anger or hatred for instance-will focus the mind in a manner that is hurtful to ourselves and others. Also the mind can be focused by worry.This cannot be called concentration, yet it does cause the mind to go round and round a subject in a negative and destructive way.

Wrong methods:

It may sound strange and incongruous to connect concentration with any negative. Usually we understand by concentration something that is strong, potent, vibrant. If , however, our mind forms a habit of dwelling upon that which is morbid or of no consequence-as, for instance, when an individual indulges in thoughts of brooding or self pity-gradually we develop these wrong and negative methods. Negative concentration, instead of giving us any benefit, weakens us and often causes an acute form of melancholia, The cure for all these mental disorders is positive concentration. In fact, real concentration always should be understood in terms of definiteness and positiveness.

Om tat sat