CONCENTRATION—THE KEY TO SUCCESS

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

CONCENTRATION—THE KEY TO SUCCESS
How powerful is the searchlight! When the sun’s rays are concentrated through a lens, they
can burn cotton. Even so, when the dissipated rays of the mind are collected, you can work wonders.
You can know all the secrets of nature through the powerful searchlight of mind.
A scientist sits in his laboratory, concentrates all the powers of his mind and brings them
into one focus and throws them on the objects of his research and investigation. He gets all
knowledge about the elements, etc. The whole hidden knowledge of nature is revealed unto him
like the Amalaka fruit in the palm of his hand. The astronomer does the same thing. He concentrates
on the stars and planets through his telescope and attains knowledge of the stars. Radio, wireless
telegraphy, television, gramophone, telephone, steam engine, etc., are all things invented through
deep concentration.
Without concentration, you cannot have success in any walk of life or spiritual pursuit. A
cook can prepare things efficiently if he has concentration. If there is no concentration, he spoils the
preparations. A surgeon in the operation theatre needs perfect concentration. The captain of a
steamer must possess a great deal of concentration. A tailor, a professor, a barrister, a student—all
must possess concentration. Then only they can have success in their profession. All great souls, all
master-minds who have done great work in this world, had perfect concentration.
In a worldly man, the rays of the mind are scattered in various directions. His mind is
jumping like amonkey. It is ever restless. He thinks of money, wife, children, property, houses, etc.
His mind is ever engaged in earning money and possessing objects of his desires. He has not a bit of
concentration. He cannot look within and introspect. His mind is full of outgoing tendencies. 

The Yogi concentrates on the Chakras, mind, sun, stars, elements, etc., and attain
superhuman knowledge. He obtains mastery over the elements. The power of concentration is the
only key to open the treasure-house of knowledge.
Concentration cannot come within a week or a month. It takes some time. Regularity in the
practice of concentration is of paramount importance. Brahmacharya, a cool and congenial place,
company of saints and Sattvic diet are auxiliaries in concentration. 

Concentration and meditation lead to Samadhi or Superconscious Experience, which has
several stages of ascent, as attended or not attended with deliberation (Vitarka), analysis (Vichara),
joy (Ananda) and self-awareness (Asmita). Kaivalya, or Supreme Independence, is, thus, attained.