Concentration involves a honing in on the attention so that one’s entire field of attention is thrown into whatever it is that one is doing. Concentration entails a focusing of energy-the energy that influences all our actions in life. Like you focus the rays of the sun through a magnifying glass, you need to focus and re-direct the concentrated rays of the power behind your thoughts. Regular practice of yoga and meditation is believed to highly benefit the extent of focus we give in a particular thing we are doing.
How to do it
- Sit straight in a comfortable position
- Put your palms on your lap or knees. If you are standing, let your arms fall naturally at your side.
- Take long, deep breaths.
- Be conscious of your breathing and of the oxygen passing through your entire system
- Count your breath from one to ten (Don’t count loudly. Just count in your mind)
- Do not entertain any serious thoughts. Think about nothing in particular. Enjoy the feeling of free thoughts flowing in and out of your mind.
- Stop your meditation when you want to.
Trataka (candle light meditation)
- Make sure the room is darkened and there is no breeze of any kind.
- Light the candle and ensure that it is about 3 feet away from you and at eye level. You may need to use a long candle holder to accomplish this.
- Begin to gaze, without blinking, steadily at the candle flame for as long as comfortable.
- Once the eyes tire or start to tear up, close them and then position the afterimage of the flame between the eyebrows at the center of the forehead (the physical trigger point of the Third Eye Chakra).
- Focus on this afterimage, trying to keep it steadily fixed in the region of the Third Eye Chakra described above. Your level of concentration will determine the clarity of the afterimage. If the image wavers, moves or looses clarity, just reapply your concentration and restore the position.
- Once the image fades out completely, open your eyes and begin again focusing on the candle flame.
Continue this cycle for 5-10 minutes
