I have been asked many a times as to why I can not concentrate . The common complaints that I get is that when we try to meditate and concentrates , the thoughts come and hen the mind gets distracted. The Patanjali Sutra Yoga states in second verse that 'controlling the tendencies of mind - or Chitta - is yoga .'So even Patanjali the great sage, knew about the problems that an average person has when they try to meditate. I am often also told that the SWAMI or Sages have nothing to worry about as they never get married and have kids etc., There lies the answer of the question as to why average person can not concentrate or do a perfect meditation. We create our own problems . We get educated and seek for a job or have business and try to make money . Once we have that we try to make more and more . We get married and then we want to have children and we have high goals or aims for our kids . We buy house and then want to have bigger one and we have a car and then get more expensive cars . This increase in our 'ATTACHMENTS ' leads to our down fall. When we try to meditate or concentrate on what ever symbol of the God we have in our mind , then we get thought RELATED TO OUR INVOLVEMENETS OR ATTACHMENTS in our personal lives. We get a thought of our son or daughter -that leads to his or her education - job - marriage - kids and so on. So, the mind wanders all over . The mind is like monkey. It does not stay steady and has to be trained .
The attachments that we have created cause distraction of our mind and thoughts. The bigger house and expensive car need more money to maintain and so now we worry as to how to get it and also worry about someone stealing it
So the best thing would be what most of the Swamies or sages did. They did not get involved in the SAUNSAR -FAMILY LIFE .But that is not necessary and one can still do a reasonable meditation.
The answer is there -may not be easy and always successful.
There are External and Internal disturbances in our mind and we an control some of them. So Select a time when the External disturbances are least. If one is pressed for the time -like 8 am ,when he or she has to go to work at 9 am , it is is difficult not to think about the work. If one does do meditation, without shower or going to toilet, the mind is going to be sleepy or bodily needs will distract the mind . If there is radio or TV on, then that will also cause he distraction . So select time when one is not pressed for time . Do it after one has satisfied bodily needs - toilet to hunger -thirst etc . There should be no TV or radio noise .So the BEST TIME IS EARLY MORNING - MAY BE 5 AM if one has to go for work after 8 am. One must engage his all senses in the act of meditation . A small light - a statue or picture of the Deity that one is to concentrating will help. No music or soft music that is pleasing not distracting to engage hearing and some fragrance will help. When a thought comes - let it go -DO NOT HAVE SECONDARY THOUGHTS TO IT. e.g. If one thinks of his child - let it not go from his education to job to conflicts and marriage etc . Let the thought come -OBSERVE AS A THIRD PERSON ns let it go and bring back the mind to the DHARANA -OBJECT of meditation..
Set a time limit -20 to 30 minutes. For ordinary - house holder - it is very difficult to go beyond that. DO NOT EXPECT ANT SPECIAL POWERS after doing the meditation. It is not like taking Tylenol and seeing fever come down or pain go away.
JUST DO IT AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
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