Hints for Concentration

by Swami Chidananda of Divine Life Society.

Question:

When I try to concentrate, the mind wanders; what is the best remedy for this?

Answer:

You have got the greatest authority giving the perfect remedy. It is simple; yet it is perfect. It is an old, old question. It is one of the chief obstacles to meditation. It is Vikshepa Shakti, one of the greatest manifestations of Maya. Arjuna himself puts this problem before Krishna: “The mind is very flickering and oscillating; and it is as difficult to fix it on the Lakshya as it is to tie the wind.” And, Krishna does not say: “Oh, no; it is easy.” He admits: “It is very difficult to control the mind.” The method suggested by the Lord: “Yes, it is difficult; but itcan be conquered by two things—Vairagya and Abhyasa.”

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

The first thing, therefore, 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. He begins to say to the mind: “Do not go to the outside objects. There is infinite bliss within. Turn inward.” Vichara also points out to the mind that the whole world is full of pain.

Actually, one anna of pleasure is mixed with fifteen annas of pain; and that pleasure is also Bhranti-Sukha only, like the pleasure derived from scratching the eczema. A dog bites a bone and hurts itself. Blood oozes from its own palate. It imagines that the blood comes from the bone and is happy; is this real happiness? Vichara gives Dosha-Drishti in sensual objects.

As a result of Vichara, the mind is made to flow inward. A sort of dispassion arises towards the objects. Fixing it inside become easier. Vairagya is dispassion for all objects of this world and the other world.

Once the turning away is there, the mind must be habituated to get itself fixed upon any particular Lakshya chosen by a person. Therefore, Abhyasa is necessary. The old tendency of the mind is there. Bahirmukha Vritti is part and parcel of the mind. It must be counter-acted and it can be done only by the positive practice. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Abhyasa is defined as continuous, unbroken practice, carried on over a long period of time. Vairagya is the negative portion; Abhyasa is the positive portion. If you go on with your practice, it is absolutely certain that one day the accumulated result of this method will keep the mind absolutely fixed upon the Lakshya. Poorna-Dhyana will come and it will lead you to Atma-Sakshatkara.

Pranayama is also a great help. It is important that we should not be discouraged. Ifthe mind used to run a hundred times previously and it runs only ninety-nine times now, it is an advance. If you make the mind move in smaller circles instead of bigger circles, it is definite progress.

Another important point is: develop an intense love for the Lakshya.