Exercises in Concentration

I. Ask your friend to show you some playing cards. Immediately after the exposure, describe the forms you have seen. Give the number, name, etc., such as king of clubs, ten of spades, queen of diamonds, jack of hearts, etc.

II. Read two or three pages of a book. Then close the book. Now attend to what you have read. Abandon all distracting thoughts. Focus your attention carefully. Allow the mind to associate, classify, group, combine and compare. You will get now a fund of knowledge and information on the subject. Mere skipping over the pages inadvertently is of no use. There are students who read a book within a few hours. If you ask them to reproduce some important points of the book, they will blink. If you attend to the subject on hand very carefully, you will receive clear, strong impression. If the impressions are strong, you will have very good memory.

III. Sit in your favourite meditative pose about one foot from a watch. Concentrate on the ‘tik-tik’ sound slowly. Whenever the mind runs, again and again try to hear the sound. Just see how long the mind can be fixed continuously on the sound.

IV. Sit again in your favourite Asana. Close your eyes. Close the ears with your thumbs or plug the ears with wax or cotton. Try to hear the Anahata sounds (mystic sounds). You will hear various kinds of sounds such as flute, violin, kettledrum, thunder-storm, conch, bells, the humming of a bee, etc. Try to hear the gross sounds first. Hear only one kind of sound. If the mind runs, you can shift it from gross to subtle, or from subtle to gross. Generally you will hear sounds in your right ears. Occasionally you may hear in your left ear also. But try to stick to the sound of one ear. You will get one-pointedness of mind. This is an easy way to capture the mind, because it is enchanted by the sweet sound, just as a snake is hypnotised by the notes of the snake-charmer.

V. Keep a candle-flame in front of you and try to concentrate on the flame. When you are tired of doing this, close your eyes and try to visualise the flame. Do it for half a minute and increase the time to five or ten minutes according to your taste, temperament and capacity. You will see Rishis and Devatas, when you enter into deep concentration.

VI. In a lying posture, concentrate on the moon. Whenever the mind runs, again and again bring it back to the image of the moon. This exercise is very beneficial in the case of some persons having an emotional temperament.

VII. In the above manner, you can concentrate on any star you may single out from the millions of stars shining above your head.

VIII. Sit by the side of a river where you can hear a roaring sound like “OM.” Concentrate on that sound as long as you like. This is very thrilling and inspiring.

IX. Lie on your bed in the open air and concentrate on the blue expansive sky above. Your mind will expand immediately. You will be elevated. The blue sky will remind you of the infinite nature of the Self.X. Sit in a comfortable posture and concentrate on any one of the numerous abstract virtues such as mercy, compassion, etc. Dwell upon this virtue as long as you can.

Exercises in Concentration

Developing a focused and disciplined mind is one of the most important steps on the spiritual path. The practice of Exercises in Concentration helps seekers train the mind to remain steady despite distractions. A concentrated mind becomes a powerful instrument for meditation, prayer, self-study, and inner transformation. Rather than allowing thoughts to wander endlessly, spiritual aspirants learn to direct their awareness toward a single object or divine ideal. According to the teachings of Swami Sivananda, regular concentration strengthens willpower, improves clarity, and prepares the mind for higher states of consciousness. Devotional India encourages sincere aspirants to cultivate this valuable discipline as a foundation for spiritual growth.

Many beginners wonder how to start Exercises in Concentration without becoming discouraged. The simplest approach is to sit comfortably, relax the body, and gently focus on one object such as a sacred symbol, a flower, a candle flame, or the breath. Whenever the mind wanders, it should be brought back calmly without frustration. This repeated effort gradually reduces mental restlessness and develops patience. Daily practice, even for a few minutes, is more effective than occasional long sessions because consistency trains the mind over time.

The benefits of Exercises in Concentration extend far beyond spiritual practice. A focused mind performs daily duties with greater efficiency, makes better decisions, and experiences less mental fatigue. Students improve their learning ability, professionals increase productivity, and spiritual seekers deepen their meditation. As attention becomes stronger, unnecessary worries and scattered thoughts naturally decrease. Devotional India shares these timeless teachings to inspire people to integrate concentration into both their spiritual and everyday lives.

One of the most effective Exercises in Concentration involves repeating a sacred mantra with complete awareness. Instead of chanting mechanically, every repetition should be filled with devotion and mindfulness. As the mind becomes absorbed in the divine name, external distractions lose their influence. This practice purifies thoughts, awakens inner peace, and gradually transforms one’s entire outlook on life. The power of sincere repetition lies not merely in the words but in the unwavering attention given to them.

Another valuable method of Exercises in Concentration is visualizing the chosen deity or spiritual teacher. The aspirant carefully imagines every detail of the divine form while keeping the mind fixed without interruption. If the image fades, it is gently recreated with faith and love. This practice strengthens memory, improves imagination, and fills the heart with devotion. Over time, visualization becomes more natural, allowing the seeker to experience profound spiritual joy during meditation.

The practice of Exercises in Concentration also includes observing the breath with complete awareness. By simply watching each inhalation and exhalation without controlling it, the mind gradually becomes quiet and balanced. Breath awareness serves as an anchor whenever thoughts begin to wander. This technique is especially beneficial for beginners because it requires no special preparation and can be practiced almost anywhere. Devotional India highlights this simple yet powerful method as an effective way to cultivate mindfulness and inner calm.

Obstacles are a natural part of learning Exercises in Concentration, and every seeker experiences moments of distraction. Laziness, impatience, excessive thinking, and irregular practice often interrupt progress. Instead of becoming discouraged, aspirants should continue their efforts with determination and faith. A disciplined daily routine, a peaceful environment, and a positive attitude make concentration easier to develop. Overcoming these challenges gradually builds confidence and strengthens both the mind and the will.

Ultimately, Exercises in Concentration prepare the aspirant for deep meditation and spiritual realization. As attention becomes steady, the mind turns inward and experiences greater peace, wisdom, and self-awareness. Regular practice gradually removes mental agitation and allows divine qualities such as compassion, patience, and clarity to blossom naturally. Every sincere effort contributes to inner progress, regardless of how small it may seem. Devotional India encourages seekers to practice these timeless techniques with perseverance, knowing that a concentrated mind becomes a gateway to lasting spiritual fulfillment.