Day 15 - Holding the Focus

40 Day Meditation Retreat 2007 with Sri Vasudeva
"Be Wise in Action"
Day 15 - Monday April 9, 2007
www.blue-star.org

Today, however, I will focus on the power of concentration, and the reason why I am doing this is because it is an important skill to develop on the spiritual path. We find ourselves with short attention span, restless or inattentive minds losing our power of concentration in certain environments. When we are drawn to be absorbed in something or to focus, concentration may come naturally. However, in challenging situations where we need it and we are not drawn to concentrate, like a difficult task we find it difficult to apply the power of concentration. It is a skill that has been developed by those who train the mind.

It is extremely important on the path of total development to be able to concentrate properly, so much so that Patanjali, the one who is considered to be the father of the Science of Yoga, describes three steps that involve concentration. In Sanskrit this is called dharana meaning concentration.

When you apply your attention to an object, it is called dharana. Patanjali went further on to say that dharana can be developed into dhyanam.

This is an unbroken stream of focus. It is described as a flow of oil. If you were to pour oil or water, you will see a difference. The water may be scattered, but the oil pours in an unbroken stream. So concentration in an unbroken stream is called dhyanam.

When you become absorbed in the object of concentration; when there becomes an intimate relationship with the object of concentration, so that the object of concentration is achieved, we may describe this process as becoming one. This is when subject and object become one. You feel complete oneness with the subject. That is called samadhi.

There are dharana, dhyanam and samadhi. It is described in yoga as the way of concentration. Concentration belongs to the centre of the intellect -- the sixth centre. It is something that you can develop.

Do you have the ability to concentrate powerfully even in difficult situations? Do you want to increase your focus, your power of concentration?

Come share your thoughts about Day 15!

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[Puk315]

how to increase focus? teach me please