Difference between Concentration and Meditation
Concentration is Control, a forced practice. Meditation is Surrender, a natural process!
In concentration, you are running away from thoughts. You try to focus at some point, object, image, breath or mantra so that you can escape your thoughts for some time. As long as you stay focused on your object of attention, you feel relaxed. However, the moment you come back to the outer world, the thoughts again surround you, engulf you, having their influence over you- good, bad, ugly. The game of the mind continues as ever before.
Meditation on the other hand, teaches you to face your thoughts directly. In meditation, you do not escape your thoughts. Because, there is actually no escape! You watch your thoughts instead- as a witness, an observer. Just as you watch all the moving traffic as a bystander, you do not run after or chase any vehicle. Similarly you do not chase any thought. You do not even try to stop any thought. You do not even try to control or concentrate the mind anywhere. No struggles with the mind. Instead just watch your mind as a non-doer, as a non-judge, as a non-participator. As the watching progresses - all thoughts begin to dissolve automatically and the mind begins to surrender naturally – developing amazing balance!
Concentration is a task, an effort. Meditation is total rest, complete relaxation.
Concentration is tough, difficult, complicated, energy consuming. It is temporary. Why? Because concentration is against the very nature of the mind! It is against the mind's nature to focus or concentrate at one point, object, image, word or place for long. The mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. The monkey like mind keeps jumping from one branch to the other, from one thought to the other. So concentration techniques lead to wrestles and struggles with the mind.
Meditation on the other hand is total relaxation, total rest. Meditation is not a practice. Meditation is a process. It is a process of non-doing where you do not try to control, suppress or focus your mind anywhere. Instead, you simply watch all its doings, its acts, its pranks, its play - as an observer - without judging, analyzing or condemning it. As you continue to watch neutrally, the mind starts coming to rest automatically.
Concentration is a solace. Meditation is the Solution!
Concentration does not let you rise above the dualities of the mind, rather it further strengthens the mind's habit of doing. As long as the mind is focused at a point or place, you experience a little relaxation. But the minute you get up from concentration, the relaxation does not last. There is no permanent improvement in your conduct. Why? As long as you are giving your mind something to do, something to focus on- be it on any point, object, breath or mantra - these are merely mental exercises that keep you within the domain of the mind. And the domain of the mind is full of ups & downs, highs & lows. Concentration that comes from the mind can never bring about neutrality and balance towards external circumstances. Meditation does !
In Meditation, as you watch your mind directly, as a non-doer, an observer, a neutral energy - all thoughts begin to fade automatically, the past and future begins to dissolve naturally - and you start discovering the 'Beyond Mind' state which is full of present moments - where all powers exist! You discover real joy, great balance, abundant bliss and amazing strength that is not dependent on any concentration technique or method. These powers stay for they are unconditional and non-dependant!
Concentration is temporary. Meditation is permanent.
All concentration techniques or methods such as focusing on an imaginary point, object, image, breath or mantra provide you concentration temporarily as it gets utilized, withered and eventually faded with the passage of time.
Meditation on the other hand is the real source of concentration. Your 'third eye' is the reservoir of all mind powers. As you watch the mind's play directly, without getting involved in it, the 'third eye' comes into play. Natural Meditation which is simply the process of watching within, enhances all mind powers automatically- such as concentration power, contemplation power, will power, memory power and fitness power etc.
Meditation - the simple process of non doing - does wonders for you!
In the outer world, we keep 'doing' something or the other
But when we enter our inner world, we need to stop all doings
Not even concentration
We just need to BE!
Swami Vishvas Ji explains, "We are all blessed with the third eye to look within. To watch is our true nature. We are born with it. Every human being is born with outer eyes closed, witnessing inside. Watching is the only process in the world that requires no effort. It is natural. It is not a state of doing. It is a state of being."
When you distance from all thoughts, good, bad and ugly, when you simply watch them as a non doer – thoughts begin to lose their energy. All thoughts multiply using your energy, when you participate. You are the energy house. When you choose to withdraw, the thoughts become lifeless. They cannot multiply or even move any forward. If you continue to remain a witness, all thoughts begin to fade in no time!
This simple process of non-doing, of looking within directly, is more effective than any concentration technique in the world. If thoughts carry you away, come back and start watching your thoughts over and over again. This is the very process of meditation. Thoughts might try to engulf you, you keep coming back and start watching them as a neutral energy.
As you continue to remain a witness, you develop neutrality. This neutrality helps you tremendously in the outer world. It helps you develop such deep relaxation, tranquility and peace that is unshakeable by external distractions. Moreover, the energy that was being consumed by unnecessary thoughts so far, begins to get free. Now this freed energy begins to rise through the silver chord in your backbone, bringing all chemicals and hormones into balance, and you begin to experience health, joy, energy and peace like never before! No concentration technique can bring about such neutrality and mental strength.
Vishvas Meditation develops all mind powers such as concentration power, contemplation power, will power, memory power, fitness power, decision making power, intuitive powers, pro-activeness, right thinking, clarity, compassion, kindness, love and peace in abundance. Most importantly, this simple most and natural meditation process brings about the transformation or self-improvement that stays - that lasts – since it is a Beyond Mind state!
It is the Mind that wavers, Concentration wavers, Meditation does not !!!
Meditation can withstand all challenges, ups & downs that life has to offer. It is complete power! It is pure energy! It is the Nature's greatest blessing.