Any form of meditation, prayer, or contemplation often needs to have the foundation of a body of knowledge. This knowledge, information, or insight enables us to gain a better focus and to get the most out of the creation of our sacred space and time of silence.
Yet, we often do not realise this when we begin to hone our concentration powers. It starts the moment we begin listening to that information, about learning how to develop concentration. Because as we tune our ears to the data being shared, we have already diverted our attention away from all other things and focused it on the subject matter at hand.
It is important to focus all our attention on listening and staying present whilst being focused. It might also mean giving up other things we may prefer to be doing at the moment. But when we know this will be of great benefit to us at some time, in the present or even in the future, we give it our full attention.
It is important to stay focused on why we are here. For this, we need to define our life’s purpose. We are here to experience the fullness of our being. Once we are clear on our focus, we can then divert all our energies toward that. We need to focus and concentrate if we are to have peace of mind and a feeling of true success in life. This means not expanding and not diversifying our energies to such an extent that it is difficult to manage. When we expand our lives too much in several directions, like creating several businesses, owning multiple houses, having numerous relationships, spreading our money into various accounts, keeping several pairs of shoes and handbags, and so on, then we do expend energy and we do not preserve it.
Just as in the example of a tightrope, there needs to be the correct balance of enough tension and enough elasticity so that one can walk on the tightrope. In life too, we need to live amongst our creations and attachments, and this creates the tension, and we need enough peace of mind to create the elasticity so that we can excel every day and feel a sense of mastery.
In meditation, we do the same thing. We set aside all other things for that duration of time, and just focus on the inner being. We focus on what matters most in life, which is our peace, our happiness, our big heart, our good wishes, and our love.
Here are seven tips to improve your power of concentration.
1) Simplify your life – so that you have fewer things to be concerned about.
2) When you sit to concentrate, set all other things to one side.
3) De-stress the body, loosening all muscles from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.
4) Try some good breathing exercises.
5) Sit still – no part of your body or mind needs to pull you. Be at peace with yourself.
6) Withdraw all attention from the body, direct your thoughts towards the soul, the being that is you. Sit in your seat of consciousness in the center of the forehead.
7) Be the great being that you are. Go within and find yourself in the stillness and the silence.
Aruna Ladva is an author and the director of Rajyoga meditation centers in Kuwait and Egypt.
