Christian D Larson
CONCENTRATION
THE art of concentration is one
of the simplest to learn, and
one of the greatest when mastered;
and these pages are written especially
for those who wish to learn how
to master this fine art in all of its aspects
; who wish to develop the power to
concentrate well at any time and for any
purpose ; who wish to make real concentration
a permanent acquisition of the
mind.
Whatever your work or your purpose
may be, a good concentration is indispensable.
It is necessary to apply,
upon the object or subject at hand, the
full power of thought and talent if you
are to secure, with a certainty, the results
you desire, or win the one thing
you have in view. But the art of concentration
is not only a leading factor in
the fields of achievement and realization;
it is also a leading factor in another
field— a field of untold possibility.
The exceptional value of concentration
is recognized universally; and still
there are comparatively few that really
know how to concentrate. Some of
these have a natural aptitude for concentrated
thought and action, while others
have improved themselves remarkably
in this direction, due to increased
knowledge on the subject ; but as yet the
psychology of concentration is not understood
generally; and that is why the
majority have not developed this great
art, although they are deeply desirous of
doing so.
When we do not know how to proceed,
we either hesitate or proceed in a
bungling fashion; or, we may proceed
under the guidance of a number of misleading
beliefs. And in connection with
concentration there are several ideas
and beliefs that have interfered greatly
with the development of this art. In
fact, methods have been given out, and
published broadcast, that are supposed
to develop concentration, but that produce
the very opposite effect. These
things, however, clear up when we learn
the psychology of the subject.
Among these misleading beliefs we
find one of the most prevalent to be
that we must, in order to concentrate
well, become oblivious to everything but
the one thing before attention now ; but
the fact is that when we become oblivious
to our surroundings we do not concentrate
at all; we have simply buried
ourselves in abstraction, which is the
reverse of concentration. The mind is
highly active and thoroughly alive when
we concentrate perfectly; and sufficiently
alive and keen to be aware of
everything in the mind and all about the
mind, although giving first thought and
attention to the work in hand.
Another belief is this, that we must
use great force in the mind in order
to concentrate well; that is, we must
literally compel the mind to fix attention
upon the object or subject before it;
but here we must note that forced action,
although seemingly effective for a while,
is detrimental in the long run. This
is true of the body as well as of the
mind, so that we must find a better
method. However, when we learn the
real secret of concentration we find that
no special effort is required; there is
neither mental strain nor hard work connected
with the process; the mind becomes
well poised and serene; and, in
that attitude, full power and capacity
is applied where attention is directed.
The mind that concentrates well does
not work in the commonplace sense of
that term; wear and tear have been
eliminated; there is no strenuous action;
there is no desire to force or drive
things through; and no tendency whatever
towards the high strung or keyed
up condition. On the contrary, all action
is smooth, orderly, easy and harmonious;
and work has become a keen
pleasure.
End of Sample, for Complete Audio of this lecture click on the links above to access Members Area or Join Us Today!
|
