Success in any sphere of life is impossible without
concentration. There are several stories in Hinduism extolling the importance
of concentration. In this particular short story, the Avadhuta learns the value
of concentration from a hunter.
......
One day as the Avadhuta was walking across a garden, he saw
a marriage procession coming towards him with loud beating of drums and great pomp.
Nearby he saw a hunter deeply involved in aiming at a bird
and not caring for the noise of the procession, casting not even a passing look
at it. The Avadhuta, saluting the hunter, said, "Sir, thou art my Guru. From
you I have learnt what is concentration.
Who is an Avadhuta? An Avadhuta is a person who has realized
neti neti - that there is no second.
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Why do we get distracted and lose our concentration when we
sit for our spiritual practices? Is there no remedy?
At the beginning for some time the mind will be restless and
will get disturbed by small things. So concentration will be difficult. But do
not be depressed at that. It is the common experience of all beginners. Stick
to the practice with determination and bring the mind again and again to the object
of worship and meditation, if you find it has wandered away. It is desires that
make the mind restless and make concentration difficult. Renounce this desires
through discrimination (vichara) and purify your mind and then you will have
concentration.
Practice and Vairagya are the only two means to get
concentration of mind.
By Vairagya I mean discrimination and weeding out of all
desires (vasanas) from the mind, thus making the mind purer and purer. When the
mind becomes pure you will be able to meditate well and derive great joy.
The struggle will be there for one or two years at least. So
stick to spiritual practice daily and regularly and all your difficulties will
be overcome. Concentration does not come so easily; you go on with your
practices regularly and in course of time you will have good concentration. (Practical Hints on Meditative Life by Swami Vireswarananda, Vedanta Kesari, August 1988 )