How to increase concentration: 7 methods used by Monks
If you are looking for ways how to increase concentration, you are in right place.
Human mind if focused well can create wonders. With the power of concentration, science have devised many modern technology and cure to fatal disease. As popularly monks says that
mind is a wonderful servant but a bad master.
So, whether you are a student or someone looking for carving your path of success, a highly focused mind is the prerequisite.
Here are few tips listed out which if followed sincerely can bring positive results in boosting performance of your mind. These methods has been followed since ages by monks and saints, and proved quite effective.
1. Breathing technique & Meditation
If you are wondering how to increase concentration and stay refreshed for the whole day, then start your day with 20 minutes of breathing practice and do meditation.
Scientific research has found that mindfulness meditation training improves executive attention
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088366/
Just sit with your spine aligned straight and close your eyes. Focus on your inhalation and exhalation of breaths.
There will be thoughts distracting you, but you need to let them go. This will help your mind to stay in one place for a longer duration.
2. Connecting with Nature
Nature can not only aid in improving concentration, but it also heals you from within.
Try the following techniques:
a. Lie down and concentrate your mind on the moon.
Whenever your mind wanders, bring it back to the image of the moon. The calming energy of moon will energize your mind and will stable your thoughts.
b. Lie down and select one of the countless stars shining in the vast sky, and practice concentrating your mind on that particular star.
To increase concentration, bring your mind again and again to the same star.
c. Sit on the bank of a river and just try to focus on the sound of flowing water. Water has the tendency to absorb all your negative emotions. It will bring your positive thoughts up from the deeper subconscious of your brain.
d. Observe the vast blue sky and concentrate on it. This practice expands your mind, reminding you of the infinity of the universe and many of your mundane complaints seems worthy of letting go.
3. Practicing with a Book
Start by reading four or five pages of a good book and then close the book.
Now, in your mind try to recall the information you just read. Process the detail meaning of the subject or connect it with any life example you can remember from your past memories.
When the impression is deep, your memory becomes sharper and increase concentration.
Your mind will develop a habit of focusing on the details and your intellect will learn to process it in multiple dimensions.
Practice this technique with various subjects to increase concentration.
4. Practicing with Cards
One effective and fun way to increase concentration is by practicing with cards.
Ask your friends to show you some playing cards and immediately after seeing them, close your eyes and try to recall all the details such as the King of Clubs, Ten of Spades, Queen of Diamonds, or Jack of Hearts.
This exercise helps to train your mind to focus and retain information.
5. Concentrating on the Ticking of a Clock
Sit in a comfortable posture for meditation and place a clock at a distance of one foot from you. Slowly concentrate your mind on the ticking sound of the clock. Whenever your mind starts to distract, bring your focus back to the sound of the clock.
Notice how long can you continuously concentrate your mind on this sound. This exercise helps strengthen your ability to stay focused and more importantly, to be in the present moment.
6. Visualizing a Candle Flame
Place a lighted candle in front of you (around 1 arm distance) in a dark room and focus your mind on its flame.
Do not strain your eyes. When you feel tired, close your eyes and visualize the flame.
Start with practicing for half a minute and gradually increase the duration up to 5 minutes based on your capacity.
As you deepen your meditation, you will experience a sense of calmness and positive thoughts. These are signals that arise in the mind during deep meditation.
7. Balanced Diet & Yoga
Foods with high concentrations of saturated fats and refined sugars may have a negative impact on the capability of the mind to stay focused for a longer duration.
Easily digestible, plant based, water rich and freshly & locally available food if consumed in balanced amount reduce fluctuation of mind to a greater extent.
Practice 30 minutes of Yoga every day. This is great tool to bring body and mind in harmony. Yoga can de-stress and can prove a magical wand to increase your concentration.
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