Essence of Concentration: Learning through Stories

They are indeed wise, who know that the secret of success is concentration. Concentration is essential for every person whatever his vocation may be. A businessman, a barber, a blacksmith, a student or a teacher, all of them need concentration to succeed in their professions. By concentration we mean, the concentration of mind. The mind which Sri Krishna regarded as most restless than any other thing in Bhagvad Gita. It is very surprising to know that 90 % of the thought force is wasted by an ordinary human being in irrelevant and unnecessary things. Hence, whatever we have achieved is the results of 10 % of the thought force which we could able to utilize. What if our mind is utilized up to 100 %? If we look into past history, we would find that no great discovery has been ever made without concentrating the mind on a subject. Therefore, it becomes very important to understand the power of concentration.

Not all are aware that the sun’s rays have the power to ignite fire. Why don’t they know? The reason is, they would not have seen the sun’s rays creating fire and burning down things!  But when the same rays are passed through a convex lens and made to fall on a piece of paper, they can burn the paper. How did the rays acquire this power? It was the result of making them converge and thereby, ’concentrated’. Our mind is also very similar to a shining sun which can produce fire provided its energies are concentrated and directed towards a single point.

Swami Vivekananda had also emphasized on concentrating the mind which is reflected in his following quote,

The old idea was: ’Develop one idea at the expense of all the rest’. The modern way is ’harmonious development’. A third way is to ’develop the mind and control it’, then put it where you will; the result will come quickly. This is developing yourself in truest way. Learn concentration and use it in any direction. Thus you lose nothing. He who gets the whole must have the parts too.

Let me further explain the power of concentration with few more examples. A well known story about Arjuna exemplifies his powers of concentration. Once Guru Dronacharya decided to test his students in their skill of archery. He hung a wooden bird from the branch of a tree and then summoned his students. He asked the first one to aim for the bird’s eye but not shoot just yet. He then asked the student what the student could see. The student replied that he could see the garden, the tree, flowers, etc. Drona asked him to step aside and not shoot. He repeated the same process with a few other students. When it was Arjuna’s turn, Arjuna told his Guru that the only thing he could see was the bird’s eye. This satisfied the Guru and he allowed Arjuna to shoot the bird. The lesson here is the power of focus. It was the power of concentration which made him a peerless archer.

In continuation, we come across Dhruv who is known as ’parama-udharan’ of such determination and concentration. He armoured the lord Sri Krishna himself with his power of concentration and devotion. Sri Krishna after being pleased turned him into a little star and placed him high in the sky, above the world, and away from all jealousy and evil. Even today, when we look up into the sky, we will be able to see a little star shining high above. This little star never moves, for it is Dhruv, who never moved from his meditation of Narayan.

There is an another story which demonstrates the importance of concentration while mastering an art. After winning several archery contests, one young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen master who was renowned for his skill as an archer. The young man demonstrated remarkable technical proficiency when he hit a distant bull’s eye on his first try, and then split that arrow with his second shot. ”There,” he said to the old man, ”see if you can match that!” Undisturbed, the master did not draw his bow, but rather motioned for the young archer to follow him up the mountain. Curious about the old fellow’s intentions, the champion followed him high into the mountain until they reached a deep chasm spanned by a rather flimsy and shaky log. Calmly stepping out onto the middle of the unsteady and certainly perilous bridge, the old master picked a far away tree as a target, drew his bow, and fired a clean, direct hit. ”Now it is your turn,” he said as he gracefully stepped back onto the safe ground. Staring with terror into the seemingly bottomless and beckoning abyss, the young man could not force himself to step out onto the log, no less shoot at a target. ”You have much skill with your bow,” the master said, sensing his challenger’s predicament, ”but you have little skill with the mind that lets loose the shot.” The essence of the story is, unless we are master of our mind, our mastery is nothing more that a talent.

Interestingly, concentration is also one of the path to attain self-realization — the ultimate goal of human life. This goal has been stated in several ways such as Nirvana in Buddism, Achieving Unwavering Intelligence in Bhagvad Gita and Attaining the State of Everlasting Bliss (samadhi) in Hindu Philosophy. Nevertheless, concentration is one of the way to attain this goal. It has been mentioned in the Raja-yoga that focusing the mind on the same object for twelve seconds achieves one unit of concentration; twelve such units of concentration (two minutes and twenty-four seconds) make one unit of meditation; twelve such successive units of meditation (twenty-eight minutes and twenty-four seconds) make one unit of lower samadhi; twelve such successive units of lower samadhi (five hours, forty-five minutes and thirty-six seconds) then lead to the meditator to asamprajnata samadhi, the highest samadhi — the finalgoal of spiritual quest.

Lastly, a man of concentration develops unforgettable memory. He can remember whatever he sees and listens forever. Just imagine what miracles can be performed after achieving such a great power. And this power is not hidden anywhere in outside world but within our own  mind. A concentrated mind is like a search-light which makes it possible for us to see even the objects lying in distant, dark corner.

The following quotation made by Swami Vivekananda sums up the whole thing. ’Concentration is the essence of all knowledge; the more the power of concentration, the more knowledge is acquired, because this is the one and only method of acquiring knowledge. Even the lowest shoeblack, if he gives more concentration, will black shoes better; the cook with concentration will cook a meal all the better. In making money, or in worshipping God, or in doing anything, the stronger the power of concentration, the better will that thing be done. This is the one call, the one knock, which opens the gates of nature, and lets out floods of light. How has all the knowledge in the world been gained but by the concentration of the powers of the mind? The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know to knock, how to give it the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow come through concentration. There is no limit to the power of the human mind. The more concentrated it is, the more power is brought to bear on one point; that is the secret.’

Finally to conclude, We do not know exactly what we are capable of. Its actually a strong commitment to excellence that can manifest the perfection within. In words of Tiya (a metaphorical parrot on a journey to self-discovery):

YOU are much more than what you think YOU are, and You can achieve much more than you are achieving now

Resources–

1. Secret of Concentration by Swami Purushottamananda

2. Four Yogas: Swami Adiswarananda

3. Srimat Bhagvada Gita

4. Swami Vivekananda

Strength and Humility

Shri Krishna says in Bhagvad Gita

He is my true devotee, who fears none and whom none fears.

But unfortunately, the second part is constantly neglected by most of the people. Modern youth aspires to become strong physically, and a few strive for mental strength. When people salute us, we feel good; When people follow our order, we feel proud; When people try to do everything right in front of us, we feel great. But this is not the true respect, it is a reverence that comes out of fear. A man who earns such “pseudo-respect” , if I may call it, cannot be called as a man of true character.

No doubt that we should have physical and mental strength, but unless we combine it with a sense of humility we do not qualify the test of character. A person who is strong but humble is loved by people, and revered in a true sense.The strength of muscles will go away as we age, but strength of character remains till the end. For example, a wrestler can only scare so long he has strength in arms, but he can earn their love forever if he has a good character.

How can this sense of humility be cultivated? Arrogance is a natural by-product of power, how can we get rid of this?

Our Vedas give this profound statement ” Each soul is potentially divine”. Once we get convinced that all of us are that same ultimate reality, though manifested in different forms, humility would be  the natural outcome.

Also, if a person has the attitude that he is nothing but an instrument in the hands of almighty; all his powers and fears, success and failure, happiness and sorrow are by God’s grace, such a person also develops a great sense of modesty.

We should keep in mind the other side of coin too. Humility of a weak is not the real humility, it’s a slavery. As first part of the Krishna’s statement goes ” Who fears none“. Swami Vivekananda also says it very clearly “Strength is life, weakness is death“. If a person does not have power to slap anyone, he cannot claim to be non-violent , A beggar cannot speak of renunciation, a person who is scared should not say that he is practicing humbleness.

Strength and humility together form attributes of a strong character. And I feel, efforts toward self-improvement and personality development which have a spiritual basis would surely inculcate both these qualities in a person.

Excellence: Inner Manifestation

Take up One Idea!.Make that ONE idea your life—Think of it, Dream of it, Live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea and Just Leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success; this is the way to Excellence.

Excellence—what is it? What brings us closer to this? What’s the state of mind which reflects ‘Excellence’? How this is related to scarcity/availability of resources for enabling a certain Process? How does collective excellence differ from that at an individual level? Pursuit of Excellence is often associated with something which one feels passionate about. How difficult is it to find this passion or driving force?

Our Constitutional duties make it quite explicit –to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity. Excellence is NOT a rigidly defined entity.  It is more than mere capability (set of skills); it is attitude;  its passion ; it involves choices and responses. Excellence –is  a state of being which (a) reflects a consciously attained unconscious competence and (b) strongly emanates a dynamic character based on strict adherence to certain ideals and values. Excellence has various dimensions—Physical, mental, Emotional And Spiritual.

Generally the journey towards excellence starts from a desire or interest for something. It goes on with formulating some methodology or action plan and ends at the feedback after its consequences. Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – that makes Success possible.  But its success or achievement with feedback which bring us closer to Excellence. Quite often, its our responses to certain stimuli (non desirable consequences) which frame our orientations for next endeavors.

Everyone says or agrees to this notion—that they’re here to play a role. What’s role? Role has two parts—Objective and Actions. Success is NOT excellence. There is a fine difference between Success and Achievement. Achievement is the state of mind which reflects contentment when you achieve targets set by you, even when its not at par with reasonable accuracy of success’s milestones.

We are all transient but inherently perfect beings. The Only mark we can leave at this cosmic presence—can be of our ideas, endeavors which reflect our entity. The most splendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of our own approval.

References and Resources:

1. Special Lecture on ‘Self-Excellence’ by , Mrs. Vijayanthi Jagannathan,VSC, IIT Madras.

2. A Call to Nation, Swami Vivekananda

3. Howard Gardener’s Multiple Intelligence

A Reflective Contemplation

Always, Yes Always

there have been

Consistent,Persistent less often significant

efforts,

Sometimes for Sustenance

manytimes for Dream so oblivious.

Tried and Tired

Annoyed and Stupefied

at the very worthiness of life!

Never had imagined before

I would meet life again!

But

the longing I never imagined

I could feel

Seems unlocked Now

by an encounter

with life itself…

Worker Behind Work:

Let us start here by asking some fundamental questions to ourselves—What’s ‘work’ or ‘Karma’? Why is there a need to work while one has got a choice to get himself drowned in worldly pleasures?  What’s there to learn about ‘how to work’? Why has ‘Karma’ been given a specific structure (Karma Yoga) in Vedanta Philosophy? How our work is influenced by state of mind? What role does character play in one’s attitude orientation towards work? Why often do we find ourselves obsessed towards ends? What are the characteristics of Karma? Why at all should I adopt a conscious and characterized approach towards my work? What distinguishes Karma from Karma-Yoga?…….  I think these questions, seemingly familiar yet unresolved, are enough to get on further to know about the Real philosophy of Work or Karma.

I wonder sometimes–even the things of slightest or trivial importance (like–Doing work!) have found such a profoundest explanation in our Hindu Scripture.

Work–is any action with a conscious involvement or association at . Karma is actually a much broader term which fundamentally resides on concept of “Cause and Effect”. There can be two ways to look at describing the need of it. First, We all are here for a brief sojourn and there are two possibilities for us.—either to go on surviving this life Or to strive to build one’s own identity. And Karma or performing right actions surely will lead us there. Second, We all are essentially divine and the goal of life is to manifest this divinity within in every endeavor of ours. Karma acts here as a physical or mental blow which lets us give a chance to unveil or discover the knowledge within. Now. We all are time-bound entities and there is actually a need to avoid frittering away of our energies by exercising judicious restrain over involvement with any actions. This basically governs –“How to work!’

“Everyone is made to act, helplessly indeed, by the Gunas born of Prakriti. These three gunas represent three state—equilibrium, activity and inertness. At any moment, the sum total of these define one’s orientation towards any work.

We all are different in capability, approach and understanding of life, though we do possess the same inner core. And this might be due to circumstantial or environmental influences or previous samskaras. Every man should take up his own ideal and endeavor to accomplish it. Our duty is to respect and encourage everyone in one’s struggle to live upto his highest ideal, and strive at the same time to make our ideal as near as possible as truth.

Character or Bundle of habits actively influence our will power to conjure up thoughts before performing actions. Every work that we do, every thought that we think, leaves an impression , and even when such impressions are not obvious on the surface, they are sufficiently strong to work beneath the surface subconsciously. The uneducated fear also restricts the path further for attaining perfection through actions. Our Karma determines what we deserve and what we can assimilate. We are responsible for what we are; and Whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.

Work for Work’s Sake!  Adopting an unselfish attitude towards work is the crucial element in Karma Yoga. This Self-restrain, not allowing to to let a ripple disturb its tranquility,  further strengthens us. It’s the most difficult “To work we’ve the right, but not to the fruits thereof.”  Having realized the need of incessant work for unveiling knowledge within, One should be able to maintain an equanimity of mind. The Karma yogi is One who in the midst of the intense activity finds the silence and solitude of desert.

References and Resources:

1. Sunday Lecture on ‘Worker Behind Work’ by Swami Atmashraddhananda, VSC, IIT Madras.

2. Karma Yoga, Swami Vivekananda

3. Bhagavad Gita, Swami Swarupananda

Vivekananda Calling…

The first book I read, in Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature, was ” Vivekananda – His Call to the Nation”. I would not be exaggerating if I say that I was completely amazed after reading it. It is a small book, of about 112 pages, which is a select compilation from the Swamiji’s utterances. It starts with a brief life-history of Swamiji followed by his powerful quotes which are categorized into different sections viz. Faith and Strength, Powers of the Mind,  Man: The maker of his Destiny, Education and Society, Serve Man as God, Religion and Ethics, India: Our Motherland, and other exhortations.

Swamiji’s words, I feel, are so clear and direct that it would appear as if he is talking to you in person, they at once inspire you.

Ye are the Children of God, the sharers of immortal bliss, holy and perfect beings. Ye divinities on earth-sinners! It is a sin to call a man so; it is a standing libel on human nature. Come up, O lions, and shake off the delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortals, spirits free, blessed and eternal.

Whatever you think, that you will be. If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong you will be.

Another thing that I really like about Swamiji’s teachings is he knows exactly what the problem of the youth is. He would teach the highest ideals but in a language which is simple, which the youth can understand.

Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you. I know where the shoe pinches. I have gained a little experience. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger.

It is our own mental attitude which makes the the world what it is for us. Our thoughts make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light.

For me, this book is a quick dose of positive thoughts, inspiring ideas and growing strength. Whenever I feel weak or low, I just read few pages of this book and immediately the mind shifts to a different plane.

And I am sure, anyone who reads the book will have a more or less similar opinion to what I have expressed here. I feel, it is an ideal book for someone who wants to start reading Vivekananda Literature for it will give you glimpses of Swamiji’s ideas and teachings, and will surely inspire you to read more.

The world can be good and pure, only if our lives are good and pure. It is an effect, and we are the means. Therefore, let us purify ourselves. Let us make ourselves perfect.

Reference : Vivekananda – His Call to the Nation

Being Proactive

(This is from Sunday Lecture on 21st March 2010.)

Let us start here with some questions which will guide us further in knowing it well… What does ‘being proactive’ mean? Does that have anything to do with recognizing worth of an action? Is it pre-programmed implementation of certain things? Where does this–act of exerting control in deciding our actions– come from? What’s there which stops us, quite often, in achieving what we aspire for?

‘Being Proactive‘ means –1) Realizing the need to respond, And 2) Exercising the ability to choose response. Our actions originate from our thoughts, behavioral patterns. It consists of two concepts–initiative And Resourcefulness. Its not what happens to us, but our permission, our consent hurts us more.

This ability to choose response comes from–our self-conscious nature, our ability to introspect and reflect on circumstances.

But we often find ourselves lacking that strength to act consciously. This is because–we are driven by feelings, overpowered by desires. If our feelings control our actions, it’s because we have abdicated our responsibility and empowered them to do so. It is so much easier to blame other people, conditioning or conditions for our stagnant situation. But we are responsible to control our lives and powerfully influence our circumstances. Sometimes One just gets into a self-deceiving, self-justifying path, often involving proper rationalization. And finally in words of Swami Vivekananda:

We are responsible for what we are; and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.

References and Resources:

1. Sunday Lecture on ‘Being Proactive’ by Swami Atmashraddhananda, VSC, IIT Madras.

2. The Seven habits of highly effective people: by Stephen Covey

3. Vivekananda : His call to Nation