| One of the keys to successful and rewarding | | | | focussing their attention on a particular object, or |
| meditation is learning to stop your mind | | | | perhaps chanting, this is sometimes referred to as |
| wandering, in order to allow you to focus. For | | | | 'concentration meditation'. Personally, I find the |
| most people the required level of concentration is | | | | most effective technique is the one called 'mindful |
| difficult to achieve when they first try meditating. | | | | meditation'. With this method, it's not necessary to |
| Left to its own devices, your mind will tend to | | | | try to concentrate on a particular thing, instead |
| wander in a thousand different directions. The | | | | you welcome any and all thoughts that arise in |
| general purpose of meditation is to reduce tension | | | | your mind, recognize them for what they are |
| and stress and achieve a peaceful mental state; | | | | (distractions), and let them go. It's rather like |
| this is unlikely to occur if you're thinking about | | | | becoming an observer of your thoughts, rather |
| your electricity bill or whether your football team | | | | than a participant. You need to keep yourself in |
| will win on Saturday. | | | | the present moment, simply by letting any |
| When you learn to concentrate properly, you will | | | | distractions flow through you, without stopping to |
| find yourself able to fully relax physically and | | | | examine them. You shouldn't berate yourself if |
| mentally and discover the true benefits of | | | | random thoughts come into your head, simply |
| meditation. In fact, you have probably already | | | | acknowledge them and move on. After a period |
| experienced the state of mind you're trying to | | | | of time you will find that your mind has become |
| achieve. If you've ever become totally absorbed | | | | quieter and more calm. Without actively trying to |
| in something you're doing, perhaps playing a | | | | banish distracting thoughts, they will start to |
| musical instrument or drawing a picture, to the | | | | disappear on their own. |
| exclusion of everything else around you; you have | | | | When properly followed, the techniques of 'mindful |
| achieved the special kind of focus required. | | | | meditation' allow you to reach a state of high |
| Calming the Mind | | | | concentration without effort. If you're just |
| So, how can you focus your attention when | | | | starting to practice meditation, but finding it |
| meditating? There are several different methods | | | | difficult to quieten your mind sufficiently, it might |
| which can be used to promote the necessary | | | | be a good idea to try this method. |
| concentration. Many practitioners achieve it by | | | | |