In the last article, I described how we can control our attention, similar to the beam of a flashlight, and thus increase the input quality to our IPO via our perception. This article describes how to bundle the light of the flashlight and thus increase its energy. At a young age, we had learned to focus the sunlight with the help of burning glasses, convex collecting lenses, such as magnifying glasses or spectacle lenses, to light a campfire or cigarettes without matches or lighter. Just like the sun's rays, we can bundle our attention by focusing. In this way we influence the quantity of input into our IPO. The remedy for this is concentration again.
If you are engaged in a demanding activity, such as a pianist at a piano concert or a doctor at an operation, you must fully focus on this activity and hide everything disturbing. Only then will the result, the output of the IPO, deliver the desired results. The goal of our next exercises is therefore to focus our attention on one thing for some time. Which one this might be is at the discretion of the practitioner. Here are some suggestions:
Object: In this exercise we look for an object in our environment to which we can direct our attention. This can be a candle flame, a Buddha statue, a mandala, an apple, a coffee cup or anything like that. It should not be too complex and it should not evoke any memory in us. We do not think about the chosen object, we do not evaluate it, we just observe it. We try to suppress stimuli outside of this object, such as sounds or smells, as far as possible. Our attention will quickly drift away. When this happens, we bring it back and point it back at the object.
Music: The music for our concentration exercises should not be too hectic, not too wild. Slow instrumental music is suitable. It wasn't meant to bring back old memories. We try to get completely involved with the music. After each distraction we return to the music.
Mantra: A mantra is a sound that, unlike music, does not come from outside but from within. A mantra refers to a sacred syllable, word or verse, the most famous and for Hindus most important mantra is the syllable "OM" (spoken "AUM", as a symbol for the primal sound of the universe). AUM is a triad. It symbolizes becoming, unfolding and passing away, represented by the deities Brahman, Vishnu and Shiva. You can use both traditional mantras and melodious, meaningless syllables. We do not need any special or sacred mantras, but some syllables are more suitable than others. Research has shown that syllables with long vowels are perceived as more pleasant than syllables with short vowels and hard consonants. For the concentration exercises, mantras should be recited in thought, i.e. not spoken aloud.
Breath: Like the exercise with a mantra, the breathing exercise also directs our attention from the outside world to the inside of the body. Our breath is always there. We can't just forget him, he usually doesn't turn out easy either, we can always go back to him. The important thing is that we do not try to influence our breathing, for example by breathing particularly deeply or slowly. We're just watching it. Breathing exercises are often recommended as an introduction to relaxation methods. In yoga, breathing techniques form their exercises (pranayama) to bring body and mind together. No complex breathing exercises are required for our purposes. The simple perception, the observation of our breath, is completely sufficient for this.
In the beginning, we certainly find it difficult to concentrate and requires mental strength. We constantly stumble from one distraction to the next, from one thought to another. Therefore, one should start with short concentration exercises and when one gets used to concentrating, gradually extend the times. Not the length of the concentration exercises is decisive, but regular practice.
With concentration exercises we will gradually improve our quality of life. But this is only a side effect on our inside way. When we have come far, very far, we will experience their true power. We are space-time structures. By influencing the input in our IPO, we will learn to control and manage our space.
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