What is concentration? Concentration is all about focusing on one thing at a time. Concentration is all about connected to your goal and focusing your mind on your current step of your work by feeling it and experience your doing of that step. The moment the idea of time will vanish in the activity that you concentrate, this is where you can learn that your mind has become concentrated.
Great achievers in this world are perfecting the art of concentration on one thing at a time. For example, on the other day, I was watching the television show of great film director S.S. Rajamouli (who directed the film Bahubali). I could deduce that his films have been successful at world arena because he concentrates on every frame of his film till the level of perfection that he visualizes in his mind on daily basis. Similarly, if we read about proven individuals from sports or Industry, we can easily deduce that they keep perfecting at their art of concentration on one-thing at a time exploring the horizons with an open mind. They enjoy what they do and they lose conscious of their time in this process. As a by product, they start contributing brilliant outcomes.
How to concentrate: Set noble objectives in mind. You are defined through the objectives that you work for in your daily life. If your objectives are nobler and higher, there flows high energy and support over to you in this process. Thus, set noble objectives first. Then, divide those objectives into nearest possible small steps and sequence them. Focus on each step with absolute and whole of your mental attention so that your mind will be focused and collected with whole of its energy on that small step alone. While performing that small step with absolute discipline, experience that step with an open mind – the knowns, unknows, limitations and assumptions.
Tell yourself that “For this moment, my mind is going to be 100% focused on this step alone without any fear and distraction. I will strive to perform this step with the best possible discipline that I can afford. In this process, I will be talking to myself about what I feel about the knowns, unknowns, assumptions, and limitations that I am going through while progressing through this step. I will offer this small act of mine as my prayer to God”. Soon, you will experience your logical thinking and start liking your thought process journey. Focus on each small step and its transition like this way. You will soon find your self that you are not conscious of the time that you spend in this process. The moment the idea of time will vanish in the activity that you concentrate, this is where you can learn that your mind has become concentrated.
Example-1: Student solving a mathematics problem
Step-1: Give a plain reading of the problem for the first time. Try to get conceptual picture on what is being given and asked?
Step-2: Give second reading of the problem and draw the diagram related to the problem. Ensure that diagram captures all the possible dimensions of the given problem
Step-3: Be conscious about what is given and what is being asked
Step-4: Find out the nearest route to the destination and position the formulas / concepts accordingly
Step-5: Start solving it. Refer the class notes / guide when in doubt.
You focus on performing each of the above step with good handwriting and good attention to the detail. You soon will find yourself enjoying the problem at hand. You may want to solve many of these kind of problems as you are getting the answers. This is where, you will lose focus of the time at hand. Once this happens, please remember your mind is concentrated.
Example -2: Surya Namaskara (Yoga)
Step -1: Be conscious of every step of Surya Namaskara and get trained under able guidance.
Step-2: Focus on each posture with absolute attention so that you can experience your stretch
Step-3: Maintain proper breathing (inhaling/ exhaling) rhythm in each transition
Step-4: In each posture, at the stretch point, offer your effort as your prayer to god.
Step-5: Consult the guide when in doubt