What is Concentration?

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What is Concentration? 

 

Once a Sanskrit scholar approached Kabir and asked him, "O Kabir,

what are you doing now?". Kabir replied, "O Pundit, I am detaching

the mind from worldly objects and attaching it to the lotus-feet of

the Lord". This is concentration.

 

Concentration or Dharana is centering the mind on one single thought.

Vedantins try to fix the mind on the Atman. This is their Dharana.

Hatha Yogins and Raja Yogins concentrate their mind on the six

Chakras (energy centres). Bhaktas concentrate on their Ishta Devata

(tutelary diety). Concentration is a great necessity for all

aspirants.

 

During concentration, the various rays of the mind are collected and

focussed on the object of concentration. There will be no tossing of

the mind. One idea occupies the mind. The whole energy of the mind is

concentrated on that one idea. The senses become still. They do not

function. When there is deep concentration, there is no consciousness

of the body and surroundings.

 

When you study a book with profound interest, you do not hear if a

man shouts and calls you by your name. You do not see a person when

he stands in front of you. You do not smell the sweet fragrance of

flowers that are placed on the table by your side. This is

concentration or one-pointedness of mind. The mind is fixed firmly on

one thing. You must have such a deep concentration when you think of

God or the Atman.

 

Everybody possesses some ability to concentrate. Everybody does

concentrate to a certain extent when he reads a book, when he writes

a letter, when he plays tennis, and in fact, when he does any kind of

work. But, for spiritual purposes, concentration should be developed

to an infinite degree.

 

There is great concentration when you play cards or chess, but the

mind is not filled with pure and divine thoughts. The mental contents

are of an undesirable nature. You can hardly experience the divine

thrill, ecstasy, and elevation when the mind is filled with impure

thoughts. Every object has its own mental associations. You will have

to fill up the mind with sublime, spiritual thoughts. Then only the

mind will be expurgated of all worldly thoughts. The picture of Lord

Jesus or Buddha or Lord Krishna is associated with sublime, soul-

stirring ideas; chess and cards are associated with ideas of

gambling, cheating and so forth.   

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!