A Guided way to Increase Concentration by MeditationA Guided way to Increase Concentration by Meditation

A Guided way to Increase Concentration by Meditation

Understand what concentration is: “Concentration is taking your mind off many things and putting it on one thing at a time.” Often what distracts us are day-to-day misunderstandings and negative feelings. Here is a guided meditation to release negative feelings. Decide what you want to concentrate on.

In many ways, you become what you focus on—that is, you take on some of its characteristics. Have you ever noticed how couples who have been married for many years start to look like each other, or how people often come to resemble their pets, their cars, their hobbies, or their work projects?

Watch other people concentrating

Go see a good action movie. In the middle of it, look around at the people in the theater. What are they doing? They are absolutely still, eyes barely blinking, and their breath is slower. It would take a really major distraction to break their attention stream. These physical signs may give you a hint about ways to increase your own concentration abilities. Here’s a visualization to improve your concentration.

Avoid constant sensory input

Multi-tasking (trying to do more than one thing at a time), loud noises, and visual stimulation (such as from a T.V.) make concentration much more difficult, and being around them or doing them too much can put you into a habit of non-attention which can be hard to break.

Make it a point to put your full concentration on whatever you are doing. Don’t let anything distract you. It really helps to be in a quiet place, but you can learn to block out noise if necessary.

Learn to meditate

Meditation is the most powerful of all concentration enhancement techniques. Learn a few simple meditation techniques and practice them at least five minutes daily. By meditating regularly and deeply, you will awaken your soul — the immortal, blissful divine consciousness at the innermost core of your being.

Yoga meditation is the time-proven way of unlocking our soul’s infinite potential. It is not a vague mental process of thinking or philosophical pondering. It is the direct means of freeing the attention from life’s distractions, stilling the turbulent and restless thoughts that keep us from knowing our real Self — the wondrous divine being that we really are. Through the discipline of meditation, we learn to concentrate within, discovering our centre of unshakable peace and joy.

Learn techniques to increase and control your energy. One such technique is Paramhansa Yogananda’s Energization Exercises which are available at YSS. Controlling your energy is an important first step toward the ability to concentrate deeply.

Paramahansa Yogananda (1893 — 1952) is considered one of the preeminent spiritual figures of modern times.

Author of the best-selling spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, this beloved world teacher has introduced millions of readers to the perennial wisdom of the East. He is now widely recognized as the Father of Yoga in the West. He founded Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 1917 and Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920, which continue to carry on his spiritual legacy worldwide under the leadership of Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri, who succeeded Sri Sri Mrinalini Mata as the fifth president.

Paramahansa Yogananda has profoundly impacted the lives of millions with his comprehensive teachings on:

  • the science of Kriya Yoga meditation,
  • the underlying unity of all true religions,
  • the art of balanced health and well-being in body, mind, and soul.

His teachings and the meditation techniques he taught are available today through:

  • Yogoda Satsanga Lessons, a comprehensive home-study series originated by Yoganandaji himself;
  • Books, recordings, and other publications from YSS, the organization he founded to disseminate his teachings in India and neighbouring countries;
  • Programmes conducted by sannyasis of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India at YSS Ashrams and meditation centres all over the country.

Take breaks

Go outside and breathe deeply or take a brisk walk. Make yourself do this often and you’ll be able to return to your task recharged and ready to focus more creatively. This Nature and Me exercise from Sharing Nature Worldwide will help you go deep into nature quickly and return you refreshed and uplifted.

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