5. The Perfection of Concentration

Concentration or the 'single pointed mind' is the fifth perfection. With out concentration we can not penetrate in to the object of our meditation and realize our true nature. It is natural for our mind to be distracted and restless, always moving from one thought or feeling to another like the flame of a candle flickering in a draught, darting here and there in milliseconds. With the right concentration we can train our mind to be stabile, present and aware in everything we do.

Our concentration has two enemies, mental agitation, or busyness, and mental torpor, or numbness. Generally, agitation arises from desire, an attractive object appears in the mind and the mind leaves the object of meditation to follow it. Torpor arises from subtle apathy developing within the mind. A useful analogy is a man using a candle to view a painting on the wall of a dark room, a draught will cause the candle to flicker too much for the man to be able to see the painting properly, and if the candle is too small its flame will be too weak. When the flame of the mind is not obstructed by the wind of mental agitation and/or weakened by the smallness of torpor it can concentrate properly upon the picture of the meditation object.

We can train the mind with regular meditation practice and achieve focus, composure, and tranquility. The ability to concentrate and focus the mind will generate clarity, equanimity and illumination. As we eliminate our misperceptions and attachments, we can directly experience the joy, compassion, and wisdom of our own true nature. There is no attainment of wisdom and enlightenment without developing the mind through concentration and meditation. To sit on the cushion is to be enlightened.

Regular meditation is the foundation stone of the practice and development of our concentration. Set aside time each morning and evening to sit with ourselves in meditation. Light a candle and incense, then sit, and as the self drops away we will be able to see clearly our own true nature. Getting up from the cushion, we know that we are taking with us a profound grounding and truth that we can share with others.