Concentration occurs naturally when something calls our attention. We say we are concentrated or focused when we keep thinking about nothing else. For instances, we are focused when we enjoy the texture and color of a silk scarf, when read an interested book, when we feel pleased with the first spoon of a tasty soup… When an activity is in front of our mind, every other thought is relegated. As soon as we put our attention off the scarf or the soup, these thoughts appear again instantly. That is how our attention performs this little miracle: put the thoughts softly off the way.
The key to a good concentration is to feel interest on the object or activity. Focusing on our respiration might not be as interesting as the first spoon of the soup but if we can look at it with the same curiosity, respiration will finally be.
When we concentrate, our mind becomes slower. We pay more attention, we relax and the other thoughts disappear. It is not that easy, of course. After focusing on our respiration for a few seconds, an urgent idea comes to our mind; shall I read the newspaper now or later? What are they showing on TV now? Respiration seems boring in comparison.
This is the hard job in meditation; leave aside any other idea and go back to the concentration object. Meditation works on the principle of deferred pleasure. When we can get rid of a simple idea we feel the satisfaction of a moment of freedom. Gradually, our mind becomes sharp and clear, able to comprehend better.
In order to meditate we choose an object – respiration, a flower, a mantra or an image – and cover it with a fence. We try to keep ourselves within the fence and explore.
Good concentration is soft and almost effortless. In essence, concentration is letting you flow freely. Our mind will concentrate naturally if we can get rid of other thoughts.
Focusing does not mean blocking the other thoughts. This is impossible. It is more like working with the lens of a picture camera; when we focus on a flower a short distance, we see it clear, everything else is still there, out of focus, blurry.
Some people think that in order to be conscious of something it is necessary to think about it. When you stroke your cat you do not think on it, you just do it. Concentration is non-verbal, it is sensual and immediate. It involves feeling, not thinking.
