Contemplation- increasing focus and attention

Contemplation

Contemplation and meditation are two words in English to express the Indian idea of Dhyana (meditation) - says Maharshi Aurobindo. “Contemplation means regarding mentally a single object, image, idea so that knowledge about the object, image or idea may arise naturally in the mind by force of the concentration. Both these things are forms of "Dhyana “- Integral Yoga, p. 146.

Contemplation, in a conventional sense, involves deep and profound thinking about a subject. We engage in profound thought when we encounter failure in our endeavors. Whether it's challenges at work or home, we reflect deeply on the issues. Before embarking on a new project, we carefully consider all its facets.

Contemplation in spirituality involves focusing on God, reflecting on Him, and concentrating on Him (whether in an image or any other form). Plato believed that through contemplation, the soul could rise to understand the Form of God or other Divine Forms.

According to Maharshi Patanjali, the term Dharana refers to contemplation. He describes dharana as देश बन्ध चित्तस्य धारणा- Dharana is the act of focusing the mind on a specific object. This implies that "Dharana is when the mind concentrates on an object, whether within the body or outside of it, and maintains itself in that state" - Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda p. 218. It serves as the initial stage of Dhyana, which is meditation. Dharana, or contemplation, is typically of shorter duration, but when this focus persists uninterrupted for an extended period, it transforms into Dhyana.

When it comes to contemplation, the focus can be on anything - a problem you're dealing with, an idea, an image, a subject. The choice is yours. However, in spiritual contemplation, the object of concentration will always be Brahman (God). One should perceive God in everything, everything in God, and see everything as God. Whether it is an impersonal or personal concept of God is irrelevant.

Conditions that are essential for contemplation- prerequisites

1. Solitary place where there is no disturbance

2. If spiritual contemplation- sit in any meditative posture

3. When the mind is cool, calm and relaxed, and not when it is agitated and disturbed.

4. For spiritual contemplation, morning and evening times are best.

Practice Note

Sit in a silent place. Better in a meditative pose (Sukhasan, Padmasana or Vajrasana). Keep the head, neck and chest straight. Close your eyes. First, focus on your breath for a few minutes-when the breath has become slow, deep and rhythmic, start contemplation on your chosen idea, object, subject, issue or any form of God (if spiritual). In the beginning, your mind will wander here and there and not remain focused on the object of contemplation, but bring it back. For some time, this struggle remains, but don’t give up. With practice, it will start concentrating, initially may be for a minute or two, but with persistent practice, eventually it will. If you persist, you will reap amazing benefits of contemplation by finding solutions to all your problems and a much clearer and focused mind.