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Elements of Concentration

Human mind is neither disciplined nor trained to concentrate on any one thing for long. It is used to `thinking` of several things, usually images on our brain`s eyes, that enable us to do multi-tasking. But the principles of meditation begin with concentration and go beyond the elements of concentration to reach a transcendental stage. There may be many techniques to meditation and you may be using the one which best suits you. It does not matter whether you are using your own breathing or an external source such as flame, idol, the picture of your spiritual or religious leader, a chant or a mantra. These are important elements of concentration, which help in meditating better. Human mind is neither disciplined nor trained to concentrate on any one thing for long. It is used to `thinking` of several things, usually images on our brain`s eyes, that enable us to do multi-tasking. But the principles of meditation begin with concentration and go beyond the elements of concentration to reach a transcendental stage. There may be many techniques to meditation and you may be using the one which best suits you. It does not matter whether you are using your own breathing or an external source such as flame, idol, the picture of your spiritual or religious leader, a chant or a mantra. These are important elements of concentration, which help in meditating better. Irrespective of the method of meditating, you need to begin first with concentrating on that particular technique. Human mind is not trained to concentrate on these objects of meditation so easily and the latter entails this mental training.

In case you have noticed, you do not find it so tough to concentrate on a good book or a thriller in a movie hall. This is because during these times, our mind is engaging on what we perceive as interesting. However, in the case of meditation, concentrating on something that we consider dull and boring requires practice. One of the things that you might find tough, while you are meditating, is when your mind wanders off to some other direction or some random thought creeps into your mind. This usually happens with those who are just beginning to meditate. One of the ways of bringing back your mind is to not control it, but to let that thought come into your mind. During this time, merely observe that thought as if you were a third person and not just thinking. Moreover, concentrating on the aids of meditation such as your breathing or a flame or a mantra helps to bring your mind back to that object. This takes considerable practice and do give yourself time in case you are just beginning. Do not expect to master this practice at one go. It is not possible. Meditation is nothing but using these elements of concentration, focusing, observing and refocusing, till you reach a stage when the mind is absolutely still.

But while meditation begins with the elements of concentration, it goes on to a stage when the mind simply stands still and all you feel is your core. It is a metaphysical stage in between consciousness and unconsciousness. Sometimes, external aids such as meditative music and candles help you concentrate better. Some of the most basic forms of meditation such as breathing meditation begin like this. Eventually, with practice, you will be able to concentrate better even when you are not meditating. This is true especially when you begin to concentrate on thoughts that are not as interesting as you want them to be. The benefits of concentration power is that while you practice more to concentrate, you also increase your power to concentrate better. With time this becomes especially easier and useful and reflects on to other aspects of life.