Concentration
To concentrate means to focus, to eliminate that which is extraneous, to make stronger and more potent.
Chemically, concentration is a solution with an abundance of substance or solute in the solvent.
An example of a concentrate is colored dye in water. As more water is added the concentration is lost and becomes diluted, resulting in a weaker color. With less water the color is deeper, more vivid, more concentrated.
Concentration is also seen in the the use of a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the Sun into a narrow beam of intense light and heat that can actually start a fire.
Concentration and Meditation
When we are trying to focus in meditation it is helpful to remember that concentration occurs through letting go of that which dilutes our attention- the distractions, extraneous thoughts and subtle emotional reactions.
Concentration requires relaxation, not tension or stress.
Mental concentration is to focus the mind on one thing only.
Concentration practices for meditation include having external object of focus such as a candle flame, incense smoke, a sacred image, or on a mantra or prayer.
Subtler and more difficult practices include internal objects of focus such as the breath, the heartbeat, sensations of the physical body, vibrations of the internal bodies, observing an psychological ego, or distinguishing between the mind and the consciousness.
The key to any of these practices is to relax and let go of everything that is not the object or focus of concentration.
With a continual dedicated process, the consciousness will concentrate into something like the laser-like beam of the Sun through a magnifying glass, allowing us to penetrate into deep states of meditation and insight.
Concentration makes it possible for us to pass through the psychological blockages, the obstacles that the ego sets up. Like Jack and the Beanstalk who has to climb the narrow ladder in order to pass into the superior worlds.
Everything that is elevated spiritually requires that we enter in through a narrow passage, and we do this by letting go of the extra- habits, attachments, negative patterns etc.
It is said that “concentration is fully realized in the death of the ‘I’, the ego.” This is because concentration is only possible with consciousness, and pure consciousness without any interference precludes the ego.
Concentric and Eccentric
To concentrate, to be concentric, implies going inward, to move our attention and energy toward an interior point. This can be contrasted with eccentric, not having a consistent center point.
Eccentric is usually understood as a strange or unusual way of being, something on the edges or fringe.
Eccentricity is always relative to what is considered normal or mainstream, so while it can seem to come from an intrinsic sense of self, to be truly eccentric requires constantly moving away from the center to maintain the contrast.
Working from concentration on the other hand, allows us to truly know our intrinsic nature, our own inner Being, and to move in a natural way from that guidance. This may or may not be in particular alignment or agreement with those around us, but it is not relative to anything.
When we move outward and away from what we perceive as the center or normalcy there is the tendency to lose our own strong center.
Concentration then brings happiness and a degree of liberation from the expectations and norms of those around us, but without alienation. This is because as the consciousness is concentrated inward it resembles a Sun in its own right, which shines light not only on our own life and mind, but to others as well.
Paradoxically as the attention move inward the inner light is able to shine outward.