Significance of Concentration
Synonyms: Focus, Attention, Engagement, Diligence, Absorption, Dedication, Mindfulness, Effort, Immersion, Intensity, Heedfulness
In French: Concentration; In Dutch: Concentratie; In Finnish: Keskittyminen; In Spanish: 颁辞苍肠别苍迟谤补肠颈贸苍; In German: Konzentration; In Swedish: Koncentration; In Malay: Penumpuan
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Concentration'
In Buddhism, Concentration (sam谩dhi) is a vital mental practice involving focused attention on a single object, essential for meditation, achieving deeper insights, and spiritual growth. It is balanced with energy for effective outcomes in meditation.
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The mental discipline of focusing one's mind on a single object to achieve clarity and tranquility.[1] (2) Identified in dhamma as mental focus and clarity, crucial for understanding and insight.[2] (3) A focused mental state essential for effective meditation, often developed through ascetic practices.[3] (4) A mental focus that is cultivated through mindfulness, important for achieving higher states of realization and absorption in meditation.[4]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The mental effort directed towards focusing the mind which helps in attaining depth in meditation and insight.[5] (2) A mental factor that must be balanced with energy according to the Buddha's teachings to achieve effective meditation.[6] (3) Mental focus that can be improved through the development and purity of sila.[7]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) The focus on a single object or thought, which helps transcend lower states of consciousness.[8] (2) The mental ability to focus the mind on a single object or thought for prolonged periods, crucial in meditation practices.[9] (3) A practice that includes focusing the mind, which the Buddha engaged in for 6 years prior to achieving Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, enabling him to attain various psychic powers.[10]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) Samadhi, the mental state of focused attention essential for deep meditation and understanding.[11] (2) Focused mental effort directed towards a single meditation object, vital for achieving deeper states of jhana.[12]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The practice of focusing the mind, essential for spiritual development, as outlined in the commentary to Dhammapada verse 282.[13]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) The state of focused attention and clarity that is required for listening and reflecting on the Patimokkha, free from confusion or distraction.[14]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) One of the three factors a bhikkhu should focus on for spiritual advancement.[15]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) Also known as sam谩dhi, it is the mental effort to fixate on a particular object.[16]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) The state of focused attention essential for deep meditation, allowing one to achieve higher insights.[17]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Mental focuses or meditative states that are part of the shravaka's practices.[18] (2) Refers to the mental focus and mindfulness that can lead to deeper understanding, but may have limitations in discerning certain beings.[19] (3) Known as samadhi, this quality is likened to bending a bow ready to let fly an arrow, symbolizing focus and intent.[20] (4) States of meditation (samadhi) in which the shravaka dwells to obtain the divine eye and perceive various truths.[21]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The mental focus and serene state sought by the Exalted One during his practice, leading to spiritual progress.[22] (2) The mental focus achieved through practice that aids in attaining enlightenment and self-mastery.[23]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) A focused mental state that can be developed through the practice of the mantra.[24]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) The letter is teaching meditation, liberation, and states of this; while the meaning is the knowledge of entering the state of cessation.[25]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) A significant meditative quality attributed to Master spyan snga, indicating his advanced spiritual practice and insight.[26]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The state of having a one-pointed mind, focused and properly formed.[27]
Hindu concept of 'Concentration'
Concentration in Hinduism encompasses mental focus essential for yogic practices, integrating dharana to merge with Atma, enhancing awareness through meditation, and serving as a foundation for effective meditation, ultimately facilitating insight and union with the self.
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja鈥檚 Rajamartanda)
(1) Concentration is a mental discipline that allows an individual to focus exclusively on a chosen object or idea.[28] (2) The state of focused attention, where there is an alignment or unity with the object of meditation, also called tatsthatva.[29]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The mental focus required for practice in various yogic disciplines.[30]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The primary condition necessary for effective meditation (dhyana) that is essential for the practice of upasana.[31]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) dharana, the act of focusing the mind and merging it with Atma.[32]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A practice that keeps the mind fixed on a point, preventing thoughts from wandering, particularly in relation to sensual objects, and counteracting thoughts of desire.[33]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The act of directing the mind towards a specific object or idea to facilitate remembrance.[34]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) Defined by Patanjali as the hindering of the modifications of the thinking principle, forming a core component of the practice of yoga.[35]
From: Natyashastra (English)
(1) The careful condensation of meanings derived from similes and other figures of speech.[36]
From: Bhagavadgita
(1) A meditative practice aimed at focusing the mind to achieve insight and union with the self.[37]
Jain concept of 'Concentration'
In Jainism, Concentration signifies the focused mental discipline essential for attaining profound spiritual insight and experiencing the true essence of one's soul. It highlights the importance of mental clarity in the pursuit of spiritual growth.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) The focused mental discipline necessary for achieving deeper spiritual insight and savoring the essence of one's soul.[38]
The concept of Concentration in local and regional sources
Concentration is the focused mental presence essential for perceiving beauty and achieving understanding. It is pivotal in mind control, Yoga, and spiritual attainment, requiring restraint of the mind to enhance clarity and engage with the present.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The author's current perspective, which is to focus on a specific area, at least initially, as communicated in the letter.[39] (2) The Swami expanded upon the power to which the mind can attain through this practice, in his lecture on Raja Yoga.[40] (3) The core of all understanding, it is essential for accomplishing anything; it involves restraining the mind into increasingly smaller bounds, which is one of the processes for mind control.[41] (4) Concentration is explained as the act of restraining the mind-stuff, also referred to as Chitta, from taking various forms known as Vrittis, which requires understanding the nature of both Chitta and Vrittis.[42] (5) Concentration, or Samadhi, is the core of Yoga, representing the highest means to achieve Siddhis, and it is through this state that one can attain anything, whether mental, moral, or spiritual.[43]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The focused mental presence that becomes the master key to perceiving beauty, merging will with observation to awaken appreciation.[44] (2) The focus and mental clarity required to fully engage with the present moment and one's thoughts, emphasized in the Samadhi section of the Noble Eightfold Path.[45]
The concept of Concentration in scientific sources
Concentration encompasses various definitions across disciplines, including drug dosage in solutions, optimal extract amounts for testing, cognitive focus in learning, and specific substance measurements essential for assessing efficacy in pharmacology and microbiology.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) The ability to focus on something, which can be reduced by stress.[46] (2) A cognitive skill described as the ability to focus attention on a specific task, deemed essential for effective learning and measured in this study.[47]