Why Concentration Matters?

For this month, our theme is concentration!

Imagine a deadline looming large. You are trying to focus on the task at hand but you are unable to do so. Unless you are able to focus your attention and keep it steady, it is impossible to succeed in your task. How does this make you feel? Certainly not pleasant. So what is the key to being more productive?

If you can gather the rays of your attention one-pointedly and maintain this concentration with a persistent will, nothing can resist it—whatever it may be, from the most material physical work to the highest spiritual one.

With the power of concentration, we can gain knowledge or develop skills or acquire objects or even become whatever we want to.

There is nothing in the human or even in the superhuman field, to which the power of concentration is not the key.

Here is a 5 minute video on why concentration matters

The practice of the week: How steady is your mind?

Light a candle or a diya and keep it in front of you at a distance of 3 feet. Make sure that the room is free of wind so the flame is steady. Now gently gaze at the flame with all your attention and gaze unwaveringly. Blink your eyes as and when you feel the need. Whenever you find your attention is wandering away, bring it back. Observe how long you can gaze steadily without any distraction. Spend ten minutes concentrating.

This is an ancient yogic practice called tratak to develop concentration.