Hints for Concentration(MED 83)

Hints for Concentration(MED 83)

Seeker: “When I try to concentrate, the mind wanders. What is the best remedy for this?”

Swamiji: “You have got the greatest authority giving you the simple yet perfect remedy. It is one of the chief obstacles to meditation.  It is vikshepa shakti, a manifestation of Maya. Arjuna puts this problem before Krishna: “The mind is very flickering and oscillating; and to fix it on the lakshya (target) is as difficult as to tie the wind” (Gita 6-34). And Krishna admits: “Undoubtedly, it is very difficult to control the mind.” The method suggested by the Lord is “It can be conquered by vairagya and abhyasa” (Gita 6.35). Vairagya is dispassion for all objects of this world and the other world. Abhyasa is continuous, unbroken practice, carried on over a long period.

These two things are the outcome of a wonderful analysis of why vikshepa takes place, why does the mind wander about. Usually the mind fixes itself up wherever there is attachment. Man wants pleasure and happiness; and he thinks he can get this in the external world of name and form. Therefore, various objects keep attracting the mind; and the mind runs from one object of attachment to another in a continuous succession.

First, it is a wrong conception that there is pleasure in objects. For this ‘vichara’ is the cure. Vichara makes the mind slowly learn that pleasure is not outside. Then he says to the mind: “There is infinite Bliss within. Turn inward.” Vichara points out to the mind that the whole world is full of pain. One anna (1/16 rupee) of pleasure is mixed with fifteen annas of pain; and this pleasure is bhranti-sukh (illusory happiness) only, like the pleasure derived from scratching the eczema. A dog bites a bone and hurts itself. Blood oozes from its palate. It imagines that the blood comes from the bone and is happy. Is this real happiness? Vichara gives dosha-drishti (seeing the ultimate defects) in sensual objects. As a result of vichara the mind is made to flow inward. A sort of dispassion arises towards objects. Fixing it inside becomes easier. Vairagya is the negative portion; abhyasa is the positive portion. If you go on with your practise, it is absolutely certain that one day the accumulated result of this method will keep the mind absolutely fixed upon the lakshya. Purna-dhyana will come and it will lead you to Atma-sakshatkara. Pranayama is also a great help. Another important point is develop intense love for the lakshya.

Once the turning inward is there, the mind must be habituated to get fixed upon any particular lakshya chosen by him through abhyasa. Bahirmukhi vritti (the tendency of moving outward) is part and parcel of the mind. It must be counteracted and it can be done only by positive practice.

(Reply by Swami Chidananda)