Concentration of attention
You had to be in this situation: are you reading a book or a newspaper, and at that time someone called you? You did not answer because you did not even realize that your name is. Why? Because you were completely focused on what you were reading at the time. And it was that you apply several times to your friend, and he does not even answer? Or this situation: you participate in some kind of discussion, but no one listens, because everyone is focused only on what he wants to say.
This is called concentration of attention. The concentration of attention is related to the will and centered in the interbrain (adjuvant). Concentration of attention is “long-term focus,” or “prolonged concentration.” Many yoga textbooks focus on long-term focus, or concentration. If you use only concentration of attention, you will not attain enlightenment. Why? Because if you are not able to hear the loud voice of a friend calling you at the moment of concentration, how will you hear the soft whisper of your higher soul? If you are not able to hear the voice of the person next to you, then how do you hear the “sound of silence”? How do you hear “internal OM”?
When a woman calls a man sensitive, this does not mean that this man is a crybaby. This means that a man is aware of the needs and feelings of women and tries to behave in such a way as to make a woman happy. Has it ever happened to you that you were annoyed with your spouse, while your spouse did not even know about it – until you let go of your feelings? This indicates the lack of sensitivity on his part. This applies to both men and women. Both can be inattentive to the feelings and needs of their “half”.
Sensitivity, or sensitivity, is associated with the heart chakra. To achieve positive results in spiritual practice, it is not enough to use only a long concentration or concentration of attention. It is also necessary to practice long sensitivity or awareness. The concept of prolonged awareness is practically absent in Western culture. Therefore, there is no exact word for this state. In India, the word dhyana (Dhyana) is used to refer to the state of prolonged awareness.
But even in India, the true meaning of this word remains unclear to most people engaged in spiritual practice and meditation. The word and the concept of “dhyana” from India spread to China, where it began to sound like chan in Chinese (Chan). The monks of the Shaolin Monastery in Southern China distributed the chan to Japan, and in Japanese it became known as Zen. Dhyana, ch’an and zen mean “prolonged awareness.” Since in European languages there is no suitable word for the notion of “prolonged awareness,” the word “meditation” is used in this sense.
Concentration and Meditation
The habit of meditation and concentration is a very valuable quality for you on your spiritual path. Meditation attaches a large amount of strength, peace, new energy and vitality. If the meditator is often irritated, this indicates that he has not achieved a good, uninterrupted meditation. Something is not quite right with his Sadhana and contemplation.
You will have to meditate with a calm mind. Only then will you quickly reach Samadhi. If you learn to control the Indriyas and eradicate desires, then your mind will become calm. The acute thirst for liberation and the thought of God will destroy all desires. He who has a calm mind, is the king of all kings. The condition in which one resides, whose mind is calm, can not be described. With concentration and meditation, you will have to train your mind in various ways. Only then will the gross mind become subtle (Sukshma). All that you meditate in silence during meditation must be manifested in your daily life, where you must also maintain balance and harmony. Only then will you enjoy the real fruits of meditation and concentration.
A. The process of meditation.
Keep the head, neck and spine on a straight line; subordinating and directing to the heart the senses and the mind, the wise swims on the raft of Brahman (OM) through all the terrible currents of the world. Subordinating sensations (prana), eradicating desires, quietly and without effort to breathe through the nostrils, wise, diligently caring for the mind like a coachman, in the cart of which harnessed the rugged horses.
When in the body of yoga, consisting of the Earth, Water, Light and Ether, the five qualities described above, which distinguish the concentration of attention, appear, then for him there are no more illnesses, old age, pain, since the fire of concentration burns in his body. When the body becomes light and healthy, the mind loses its desires, the body shines and emits a pleasant smell, the voice becomes pleasant and the discharge becomes little, it is said that the first stage of concentration has been achieved.
B. General Notes.
Just as sugar and salt absorb water, your mind will have to absorb thoughts about God, Divine glory, Divine presence and exalted soul-awakening spiritual thoughts. Only then will you ever be established in the Divine consciousness.
Five things are necessary if you want to practice real meditation and quickly reach Samadhi or self-realization. This is Mouna; an easy diet, or a diet consisting of milk fruits; solitude on the picturesque bosom of nature; personal contact with the Teacher and a cool place.
You can immerse yourself in deep meditation only if you lead a moral life. Then you can try to acquire such a quality of mind as discrimination, and others. You can exercise the mind first in concentration and, then, devote yourself to meditation. The more you lead a moral life and meditate, the more chances you will have to reach Nirvikalpa Samadhi, which will free you from the circle of births and deaths and give you eternal Bliss and immortality.
What is the image of Lord Krishna holding a flute in his hands? What kind of philosophical symbol is a flute? A flute is a symbol of OM. He says: “Eradicate one’s selfishness. I will play on your flute (body). Let your will become one with Mine. Find refuge in OM. You will be with my being. Listen to the inner, exciting music in the depths of yourself and stay in the eternal world! “
Samadhi can be achieved by practicing concentration and meditation with an easy diet. Meditate for two or three hours. If you are tired, rest for half an hour. Drink a cup of milk and start meditation again. Repeat the meditation process again and again. In the evening, you can stroll along the veranda. Do not allow the mind to engage in any worldly affairs, even for several minutes. Just as a student, when studying mathematics and geometry, who are very uninteresting at first, creates an interest in himself, thinking about the advantages he will have by passing the exams, and you should create an interest in meditation in thinking about the innumerable benefits that she gives in constant practice , namely: immortality, the highest world and infinite bliss. If you are not predisposed to work and want to practice only meditation, you can lead the life of a complete hermit, eating only milk and fruit. You will achieve great spiritual progress. If there is a tendency to work, and the meditative mood disappears, then start working again. Thus, constant practice should be restrained by the mind.
Throw a piece of iron rod into the oven. It will turn red like fire. Take it out of the oven and it will lose its red color. If you want it to always be red, you must always keep it on fire. Therefore, if you want your mind to burn with the fire of Brahmic wisdom, then you must always keep it in contact with the Brahminic fire of knowledge through constant and intense meditation. You must maintain a continuous flow of Brahmic consciousness. Then you will reach Sahaja Avastha (natural state).
If you can meditate for half an hour, you can, as a result of the beneficial effects of this meditation, spend a whole week dealing with everyday affairs in the battle of life, preserving peace and spiritual strength. Since you have to face in everyday life with different, distinctive minds, you should be equipped with power and peace through meditation. Then you will not worry and worry.
If you are just starting to practice meditation, always repeat Sloka or Stotra (spiritual hymns) for ten minutes before performing it. This raises the mind to a higher plane and distracts it from worldly objects. Then stop this process of thinking and direct the mind to one idea with an energetic and unremitting effort. After this, Nishta will come.
B. Images.
Before you begin to meditate, you must create a mental image of God or Brahman (concrete or abstract). When you look with open eyes at a particular figure of Lord Krishna and meditate, then this is a concrete meditation. When you reflect on the image of Lord Krishna with your eyes closed, although this is also a concrete meditation, but it already carries to some extent an abstract character. And meditation on the infinite astral light will be an even more abstract meditation. The first two types of meditation belong to Saguna-meditation, and the latter to the Nirguna meditation in the initial stage has an abstract image for the adjustment of the mind, which after a while disappears, and the meditator merges with the object of meditation. Meditation comes from the mind.
D. Practical guidance.
Having started meditation, note the time that you managed to expel all worldly thoughts. Very carefully watch the mind. If, for example, this time is 20 minutes, then try to increase it to 30-40 or more minutes. Fill your mind again and again with thoughts of God. When the mind becomes stable in meditation, the eyes will also become stable. The yogi, whose mind is calm, has a firm, steady gaze. He does not blink at all. Eyes can turn red or pure white.
Any action, external or internal, can be accomplished only when the mind is connected with the corresponding organs of the body. Thought is a real action. If you master control over the mind through constant practice, if you learn to control your emotions and moods, then you will not commit stupid and wrong actions. Meditation and concentration will greatly help you control various emotions and impulses.
Reflect and concentrate your mind in the vast heavenly spaces. This is also one of the types of Nirguna meditation. This method helps to eliminate the finite forms from the mind. The mind will gradually begin to dissolve in the ocean of the world, as it loses its content, i.e., various forms. He will begin to become more subtle and more refined.
Some prefer to meditate with their eyes open, others with closed eyes, while others with half-closed eyes. If you meditate with your eyes closed, dust and any foreign matter will not get into your eyes. Some are disturbed by different flashes and jerks and therefore they prefer to meditate with their eyes open. Some can not meditate with their eyes closed because they fall into a dream after a relatively short period of time. In novices meditating with open eyes, the mind begins to wander through objects. Listening to the voice of reason, choose for yourself the most suitable way. Overcome other obstacles, too, through appropriate and reasonable methods.
You should practice meditation regularly, which is very important in this matter. If you follow this rule, you can quickly achieve great success. If you do not even feel the first time noticeable results in the practice of meditation, then continue to practice hard.
Be sincere, pure, patient and persistent and after a while you will succeed. There is no doubt about this. Do not ever stop exercising even for one day. Again and again fill the mind with the Sathwic Divine thoughts. New furrows will be laid in your brain. Just as the gramophone needle cuts a small groove on the plate, the Sattvic thoughts will build new healthy grooves in the mind and brain. New Samskaras will be formed.
Prana is the outer shell of the mind. The vibration of the refined psychic Prana creates a thought. Through Pranayama, you can improve your meditation by making the mind more stable. If you store lemon or Tamarid juice in a golden cup, it does not spoil. If you put it in a copper vessel, it will instantly deteriorate and become poisonous. In the same way, if Vishay Vritti (thoughts connected with sensory objects) appears in the pure mind of one who constantly practices meditation, but they will not pollute him and will not cause him to Vicar (passionate arousal). If these Vrittis arise in the unclean mind, they cause excitement.
D. Physical health.
Asana (pose) strengthens the body. Bandha and Mudra make the body strong. Pranayama makes the body easy. Palimuddhi influences Samyabasthu of the mind. By acquiring these qualities, one should direct the mind to Brahman. Only then can we achieve sustainable meditation and enjoy happiness.
At four o’clock practice Sarhasana for five minutes. Then rest for five minutes and proceed to a meditation that will be easily attainable. But before you start meditation, perform 20 kumbhak. Pranayama will expel Tendra and Alaya (drowsiness and laziness) and will make the mind steady.
Week eat only milk and fruits, from which the quality of meditation will increase to a large extent. Such a diet will make the body light, and mind Sattvic. Take for the rule, in the evening you do not have anything, except half a liter of milk. The quality of meditation will be good, and you can easily overcome drowsiness. Heavy food, taken in the evening, causes drowsiness.
E. Pose for meditation.
Those who meditate for 4-5 hours at a time can first meditate in Padma and Vajra or Siddha and Vajra Asanah. Sometimes blood accumulates in the legs and a little worries. After two hours, you should change Asana, for example after Padma or Siddha asanas, take Vajrasana or just straighten your legs, lean against the wall or on the pillow. Keep the spine straight. This is the most convenient Asana. Place two chairs next to each other, sit on one, and put your feet on the other – this is another option.
Here’s a tip for beginners. Sit in Padmasana (in an exercise room), close your eyes and meditate on the effulgence of the sun, the splendor of the moonlight, the majesty of the starry sky, the beauty of the heavenly spaces.
G. Preliminary exercises.
Begin to train the mind in various ways, practicing concentration of attention. Concentrate on Anahata sounds – sound coming from the heart, plugging your ears. Concentrate on breathing, repeating to Soham. Concentrate on any particular image. Focus on the blue sky, not pervasive sunlight. Focus on the different body chakras, on abstract ideas – Satyam, Janayam, Anantam, Ekan, Nityam, etc. (Truth, Wisdom, Infinity, One Eternal Essence) and, eventually, stop at one of them.
Do not strain your eyes when meditating. Do not strain your brain. Do not fight and do not fight with the mind. Relax. Give Divine thoughts to flow peacefully in your mind. Persistently think of Lakshya (the object of meditation). Do not push by force intruding thoughts. Fill your mind with refined thoughts. When the mind is filled with sublime Sathwic thoughts, unwanted thoughts will disappear by themselves. If you experience considerable stress during meditation, then shorten the meditation time for a few days. Let meditation always be easy. When you achieve this, you can increase the time again.
Adhere to common sense in your Sadhana, I always remind you of this.
When and where to meditate
Practice meditation in Brahma-Muhurta. This is the best time. Always choose the most suitable time for meditation, day and night, that is, when your mind is clear and it is unlikely that anything will bother you. You can practice before bedtime. The mind is calm at this time. Good meditation can take place on Sunday, as this is a day off and the mind is free. Take this and lead a strong meditation.
Meditation and concentration of attention will be very good if you eat only milk and fruits, or you will fast. Always act as common sense dictates, and try to make the most of it. Meditate at night. If you do not have enough time, then meditate twice a day. If there is no free time during the day, then practice meditation at night 10-15 minutes. At night, you will not have bad dreams. Divine thoughts will fill the mind also during sleep, since the mind has received a good charge.
A disciple who meditates in seclusion while in a city in a room located on the upper floors of a building can feel as calm as in a forest. True, there are no favorable spiritual vibrations that play an essential role in the evolution of the mind, creating the Egagratus. In all sacred places, such spiritual vibrations of the Rishis fill the etheric space, and the student derives tremendous benefit from them. In such places Vairagya, Satvic Bhava and meditative mood come by themselves, without effort and struggle.
Some people, leaving the train at Rishikesh station, at the sight of the Himalayas exclaimed: “What is this, son, father? It’s a dream, an illusion, it’s all Maya. ” This is the effect of vibrations on people’s minds. Only sages and yogis can immediately recognize the nature of vibrations in places convenient for meditation.
You are given the key to many of the mysteries of life. This key is meditation. Meditate regularly in the morning between 4 and 7 o’clock, and you will achieve eternal bliss and immortality. The banks of the Ganges or Narmada, picturesque Himalayas, adorable flowering gardens, sacred temples raise the mind to a higher plane in concentration and meditation. Use their services.
To focus the mind most appropriate is a place with a cool climate and exalted spiritual vibrations. Early in the morning your mind is most pure and calm. At this time, there is a spiritual influence and mystical silence. All saints and yogis practice meditation during these hours and send their spiritual vibrations to the whole world. You will benefit greatly if you begin your prayers, Japa, or meditation at this time. You do not have to strain, and the meditative mood will come by itself.
Aids for meditation.
Mula-Bandha in meditation. When you are sitting in the asana for the execution of Japa, then compress the muscles of the anus. In Hatha Yoga it is called Mula-Bandha. This contributes to the concentration of attention. This exercise keeps Ananavia from moving down.
Kumbhak in meditation. Hold your breath as much as you can without stress. This is Kumbhak. This greatly contributes to the concentration of attention, making the mind steady. You will feel intense spiritual bliss.
Diet Yoga. Observe Mithakaru, that is, the Sattvic diet. The stomach, full of rice and vegetables, legumes and bread is the cause of interference and drowsiness in Sadhana. A glutton or a sexualist, a stupid or lazy person can not practice meditation. Milk diet makes the body easy, it will allow you to spend hours in one asana with ease and convenience. If you feel weak, you can eat rice or milk, or barley or milk for a day or two. Those who work or serve anywhere, or lecture to the public, or engage in a different kind of spiritual activity, propagating knowledge, need dense, nutritious food.
You can often find in the Gita such words: “Ananya Cheta”, which means: “no thoughts about anything else.” Makchita, Nitya, Yakta, Ekagrash Manah and Sarva Bhava. These words indicate that you must devote your whole mind to God. Only then will you achieve self-realization. Divine Consciousness can be achieved only when no ray of the mind is deflected to the side.
Stay in Silence. Know yourself. Know That. Dissolve the mind in Tom. The truth is completely pure and simple.
Asana (pose) strengthens the body. Bandha and Mudra make him strong. Pranayama makes the body easy. Nadi Sudhi makes the mind steady. By acquiring these qualities, you will have to direct the mind to Brahman. Only then will meditation be sustainable and bring you happiness.
The banks of the Ganges or Narmada, the picturesque Himalayas with magnificent flowering gardens, sacred temples, are places that contribute to the evolution of the mind in concentration and meditation. Use their services. A cool place, the presence of spiritual vibrations, solitude are the necessary conditions for concentration of the mind. Just as the salt dissolves in the water, the Sattvic mind, while in silence, dissolves in Brahman (its substratum) during meditation.
If you are just starting to practice meditation, then when you begin to meditate, repeat Sloka or Stotra (sublime hymns) for ten minutes. This will evoke the evolution of the mind and it will not be difficult for you to distract it from worldly objects. After this, with a multiple and vigorous effort, direct the mind to one idea. Then Nishta will follow.
