S E V E R A L E F F E C T I V E T E C H N I Q U E S T O I N C R E A S E Y O U R A T T E N T I O N

S E V E R A L   E F F E C T I V E   T E C H N I Q U E S   T O
I N C R E A S E   Y O U R   A T T E N T I O N

1. Examine one object in all its aspects and determine the various relationships between it and other objects in its vicinity. Analyze all its characteristics: composition, qualities, state, origin, destination, causes, effects, history, etc.

2. Examine a design or a plan containing a lot of details, and then reproduce as many of them as you can, first mentally, and then on paper, attempting to as remember all of them.

Focus on the main features of the item you selected, and then the secondary ones, so in the end you will end up by remembering even the smallest details.

3. Analyze in your mind visual impressions (objects you saw or landscapes you admired someday), things or songs you heard in the past, tactile sensations, and finally olfactive and gustative impressions.

4. Try to determine a person's character or feelings according to the tones of voice, the shape of the body, characteristics of the physiognomy and the nature of their attitude and gestures.

5. Propose yourself to eliminate from your behaviour all useless, clumsy or mechanical gestures and replace them with balanced gestures.

6. Try to speak rarely, focusing on the idea you wish to express, and on the words you use. Make a habit of this exercise and remove all words with negative connotation from your vocabulary.

7. Suspend any movement of the body and any involuntary mental activity, in other words dismiss any uncontrolled, anarchic thoughts. Go back on the track of your thoughts to the point where they began, where there is no divergence, no duality and no agitation.

After all these exercises, appreciate the quality of your memories, so that you may appreciate your attention to its true value. Perform these exercises several days in a row and pay attention to your progress.

The last of the seven exercises we presented in this article rpresents a superior stage in the process of concentration of attention and ultimately it allows us to open up new inner universes, whose depths and vastness may enrich us tremendously.

Keep in mind: The focus of the mind is better if you have a definite purpose patience, tenacity, vigilance, and continuity in your fight against the mental disorder and agitation.

In time and with practice, the power of your mind increases, eliminating the useless preoccupations and desires. If additionally you practice mauna (the discipline of silence) for an hour or two each day, associated with pranayama, you will be soon surprised by the power you feel growing inside of you.

Caution: The power of the mind is practically limitless. Consequently, the more it is focused, the stronger it will become. The ultimate meaning of life is to focus on God. This is the supreme duty of any human being.

Maya, the cosmic illusion that makes us identify ourselves with our physical body, social position, name, reputation, and forget our divine essence hinders the importance of this duty from our eyes.

Or, in Swami Shivananda's words:
"The total sum of all pleasures of this world is nothing compared to the exquisite bliss you experience in deep meditation and concentration. Do not abandon this practice. Continue it with patience, perseverance, happiness, tenacity and trust. Thus you will succeed."