This technique specifically focuses on your breath and observes thoughts as they drift Concentratiin your Concentratiln. Electroencephalographic Concenration Concentration and mindfulness mantra meditation mindfulnese meditation. Rent this article via DeepDyve. The first thing to be clear about is that Mindfulness and Concentration are distinct — although linked — mental faculties. Your Subscription Plan. It is not about becoming something or accomplishing something. Mindfulness originated in Buddhism, and the 2,year-old tradition is part of a much wider set of beliefs and behaviors.

Concentration and mindfulness -

We may not be able to change the problem itself, but through mindfulness supported by concentration we may be able to shift our perspective and radically change the way we relate to the situation.

Concentration brings calm, which can open the possibilities of new relationships toward our concerns. Most of us know that a calm mind allows us to see and think more clearly. But it can also help us to understand our concerns in a completely new way. It allows us to step outside of the maze-like context of the concerns themselves.

Such problems as inter-personal relationships, work, health, and personal identity can be seen through our deepest integrity and values rather than through fears, desires, and popular, superficial values.

In a more profound sense, the over-arching perspective of calm awareness may show us that having problems may be completely acceptable.

We realize that our ability to be whole and complete is not compromised by the problem. In fact, our wholeness actually includes the problem. This does not mean we become complacent, but that our attempts to fix our problems need not be colored by a sense of preoccupation, inadequacy, or neediness.

When we are caught by a problem, a great deal of energy can be poured into our pre-occupation. With concentration practice, we consciously put our energy into staying present and awake to something wholesome.

A classic focus for developing concentration is the breath. By staying with the breath and matter-of-factly returning to it when the mind wanders, we strengthen our concentration and weaken preoccupation.

With time, the mind finds rest, openness, and calmness. That means that anyone can start feeling the benefits in several weeks. At first, you might think your practice is actually making you more distracted. As you learn to concentrate and focus on your breath, you will notice more thoughts because you are aware of them.

So it may seem as if a thousand things come to you during this time. But this means your attention is actually working better — you will notice brain wandering and how easily you can get distracted from just sitting and staring at the wall.

Imagine driving to work. You see the same trees, signs, roads, and highways. This is how the brain works. The more you think about something, the more it becomes ingrained into your brain, the more you know no other way. The more you are used to racing, uncontrolled thoughts, the more aware you will need to be in order to stop them.

There are many ways to practice mindfulness meditation: breathing techniques, visualizations, and more. You can find some in my article I wrote earlier this year — Why Mental Breaks Are Important — and here are a few more:.

What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness Creates New Connections in the Brain Mindfulness helps us achieve growth of new neural networks in the brain. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction A recent study on mindfulness meditation showed that participants had less psychological stress from anxiety, depression, and pain.

Increase Your Focus in 8 Weeks A study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital was the first to report changes in density in the gray matter of the brain. In as few as 8 weeks, participants had increased density in the areas of the brain responsible for: learning and memory processes emotional salience top priority given to certain healthy emotions the ability to take on different perspectives emotional regulation These areas of the brain are known as the posterior cingulate, the temporo-parietal lobe, the hippocampus, and the cerebellum.

New to Meditation? How to Meditate There are many ways to practice mindfulness meditation: breathing techniques, visualizations, and more. You can find some in my article I wrote earlier this year — Why Mental Breaks Are Important — and here are a few more: 60 Seconds — Take 60 seconds to focus on only your breathing, nothing else.

Do this several times a day. Over time, you can gradually extend this duration or simply double it every day.

It takes years of practice to be able to have one minute of alert, clear attention. Conscious Observation — Pick an object and devote all your attention and awareness to it.

The purpose is to simply be aware of how you are feeling, not to become absorbed. Concentrative fixates on a particular point, whether it is a word, breath, or object.

The goal is to release your thoughts and maintain or refocus your attention on that point, preventing your mind from wandering. Meditation does not always involve quietly sitting still.

Slow, repetitive movements, such as through yoga and tai chi, that focus on your breath can be equally effective in relaxing your mind and body. Simply saving a few minutes per day has been proven to reduce distractions and increase focus.

This summer, students are invited to explore the power of mindfulness in an online program with Rajiah Williams Leong, Mindfulness Facilitator and Associate in the Enterprise Risk Management program. Learn more in the video below and sign up here. Recent graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree from CUNY will be eligible for the fellowship.

Check out some photos from last December's Days 'Til Graduation event.

This article Concentration and mindfulness adapted from a workshop offered at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Februarymindtulness Concentration and mindfulness Bhikkhu, Abbot of Metta Forest Concentragion, San Diego County, California. Many people tell Concentrahion that the Antioxidant-rich desserts Concentration and mindfulness two different types of meditation: mindfulness Concentration and mindfulness and concentra­tion meditation. But mindfulnss you actu­ally look xnd what the Buddha taught, he never separates these two practices. They are both parts of a single whole. Every time he explains mindfulness and its place in the path, he makes it clear that the purpose of mindfulness practice is to lead the mind into a state of Right Con­centration—to get the mind to settle down and to find a place where it can really feel stable, at home, where it can look at things steadily and see them for what they are.