Professional Documents
Culture Documents
B R A H M A K U M A R I S RETREAT C E N T E R F O R S P I R I T U A L L E A R N I N G
The Point
Volume 4 Issue 34 March 2010
Concentration is power
YOU’VE got some paper work to Here are energy in the universe, is really the
do but, as soon as you start on it, ultimate support.”
many options present them- the requisites NO DESIRES. “The mind can get
selves— reply to a text message, and benefits, pulled wanting many things—objects
check your Facebook account , and some practical tips or people, affection, appreciation or
take a coffee break. Or you’re respect. Contentment is the key to a
probably taking meditation peaceful mind. If I feel anything lack-
classes to cope with stress but ing, that will take my intellect away
when you sit, your mind starts from my concentration. Only if I am
racing. And so you still feel content, can I become light.”
stressed. CHURNING. “This is a term that
To many people, concentrating means to exercise the intellect with
is like searching for the Holy Grail. spiritual knowledge and extract wis-
But to succeed in anything, it is a dom. The intellect tends to be lazy
requisite. with rote memory but it can be
“You cannot bring change to awakened by undertaking exercises
your life without the power to in understanding the implications of
concentrate,” says international spiritual knowledge. Through churn-
lecturer and senior Brahma Ku- ing I can create the strength to hold
maris meditation teacher Meera on to that one thought for as long as
Nagananda. She defines concentration as a single “You are able to see your real self, and that in itself I want. It is important to increase this power to
penetrating thought, or total absorption. is a permanent change. That is the core of Raja Yoga recycle energy.”
She explains: “Concentration is experienced in meditation—being awake, aware and connected. WILL POWER. “Will yourself to the Supreme.
action and in meditation. People may not know that There is, at last, a profound awareness of one’s Allow His energy to fill your consciousness. Don’t
you are practicing mediation, but the quality of your eternal identity as a soul.” hold yourself back or follow old thinking patterns.”
actions, the focus you have, makes them appreciate Meera enumerates the attributes necessary to The benefits are boundless, says Meera, and
that you have some kind of mental discipline. The develop the power of concentration, and explains proceeds to discuss them:
basis of concentration in action comes from concen- how they work: CLARITY. “You develop a microscopic vision. You
tration in the intellect. I may not be meditating INTROVERSION. “Focus thoughts inwards and see things as they are, thus making it easy to make
while performing action, but my concentration experience your positive qualities. Remove any a decision.”
power in meditation will help me to do quality work extraneous or unnecessary thoughts. This is the EFFICIENCY. “Work is accomplished in half the
in less time.” stage of soul consciousness. You are no longer sub- time that it normally takes. One reason we don’t
Concentration, on the other hand, is the result of servient to your sense organs. You can utilize the find time to meditate is that we claim we are busy.
contemplation, which Meera defines as a pattern of subtle powers of the soul.” But with concentration, efficiency is enhanced.”
thoughts connected to a purpose. “When you are DETERMINATION. “There has to be a deep desire IMPROVED MEMORY. “We can say, ‘Oh, I forgot
reflecting on, or thinking about, something, the to achieve something. This means that body, mind, because it’s my nature.’ The power of concentration
mind is in a contemplative stage,” she says. “Once intellect and heart are aligned. It doesn’t work if enables the mind to remember and retain.”
you start experiencing the thought or going beyond your body is sitting in a meditation pose, but your ACCURACY. “Mistakes are often committed due
words, there is concentration. You become the intellect is planning for tomorrow and your heart is to lack of focus. Concentration frees me from com-
embodiment of the thought, or you are experienc- revisiting yesterday.” mitting errors.”
ing the feeling within the thought.” FAITH. “Trust the self, whose original qualities POWERS. “I am able to draw powers from the
How does concentration bring about transforma- are peace, purity, bliss, love and power. Trust the Supreme and these powers manifest in different
tion? Meera gives the example of a putting a sheet Supreme and His benevolence. Trust destiny—there ways when I perform actions.”
of paper under a magnifying glass that is directly is benefit in every situation. Respect each individ- EMPATHY. “Due to a lack of focus I am not able
exposed to sunlight. The heat from the sun as it ual, see only their eternal goodness, accept them as to understand my own feelings, let alone those of
goes through the lens burns the paper. part of the world family. Looking at people’s defects others. The result is misunderstanding. If I don’t
“Concentration must bring results. When I’m pollutes the mind.” understand people’s intentions, I can’t give what
totally absorbed in the Supreme and none other, I SOLITUDE. “This shouldn’t be taken literally as they need. With empathy I am able to understand
am able to allow His power to penetrate my sub- going into seclusion. Find a quiet space in your the thoughts and sentiments of others, the better
conscious, there to melt deep-rooted unwanted heart to enjoy silence, the true nature of the self.” to fulfill them.”
traits and replace them with godly qualities.” STRENGTH FROM ONE. “Sometimes people de- INSPIRATION. “With genuine powerful thoughts,
Once the power of meditation touches the sub- pend on relationships, possessions and activities for souls who feel weak, dejected or worried will be
conscious mind, realization occurs, Meera says. their self-worth. The Supreme Power, the highest recharged through my good wishes.”
Visit the Center for Spiritual Learning at 1020 Magallanes Drive, Silang Crossing West, Tagaytay City. Contact us at (046) 483 2128
See our local website www.bktagaytay.com, our blog site www.bk-tnt.blogspot.com and our international website www.bkwsu.org.
© Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University 2010.
2 The Point Volume 4 Issue 34 March 2010
My stressor, myself
MORE and more business firms are offering ticipants said the program spurred their moti- still, it gave us some time to relax and ponder
programs to help employees cope with stress. vation for better behavior. With mental clarity better ways to exercise, not only our body but
Many managers say the programs enhance from meditation, individuals learn to reverse also our mind.”
productivity, boost the workforce morale and negative ideas and focus on positive out- Says Cynthia Valencia: “We were enlight-
improve their health. comes. This helps reduce tension and attain ened by the fact that we create our own
Strategies for stress management include goals. stressors. Instead of being victims of change,
exercise, muscle-relaxation techniques, be- “The workshop taught us to be peaceful we should be agents of change. We learned to
havior modification, time management and and patient,” says Kenneth Montano. focus on the present situation, not to dwell on
cognitive restructuring (which helps people “It made me realize that life can truly be the past and not to be anxious about the fu-
determine what is bothering them and then simplified. Complications are created by the ture. After the seminar, everybody was opti-
come up with ways to handle the pressure). stressor. It’s hard to admit, but the stressor mistic to face another day ahead.”
What sets apart the Brahma Kumaris Retreat is…me. I was also inspired to employ virtues in “The place was appropriate for meditation
Center for Spiritual Learning’s stress manage- my daily activities,” adds Larz P. De Guzman. and we felt one with nature. The solemnity
ment workshop is a thorough understanding “The activity strengthened camaraderie in just gets you,” notes Myra Vina.
of the thought processes that can go awry in our ranks and in our respective areas,” notes “It gave me a new perspective—finding joy
challenging situations, and how to keep them Bobby Manalili from the Port Area branch. in everyday things really makes a difference.
in check. Ernie Datu agrees, “It gave us an opportunity With the right attitude, while exerting the
About 70 employees of the Philippine Na- to interact with other bank employees about same effort, we get more things done,” says
tional Bank attended this workshop. The par- matters affecting our day-to-day work. Better Anna Liza Arellano.
3 The Point Volume 4 Issue 34 March 2010
Meera gave two valuable and practical tips for things instead of being peaceful and still.
P R O G R A M S
Time Marches On, 4pm Sat - 4pm Sun, Mar 13-14
Inner Power, Inner Peace, 4pm Fri - 4pm Sun, Mar 26-28
We’d like to hear from you. Write us at thepointfeedback@gmail.com.