How to concentrate mind?

Concentration is fixing of mind on one object or idea either outside or inside the body. Beginners should start concentrating on an image of deity, Om symbol or flame of a lamp etc. The image should be pleasing and should bring peace and joy to mind. It should neither create boredom nor excitement. Concentration is the first step of meditation and can work wonders.

Everybody has concentration power but its range may vary. One should strengthen mind’s capacity by various ways. A newcomer in the field of meditation must practice concentration exercises to focus the scattered rays of mind on a single point which leads to Self Realisation. There are various exercises using different techniques like focusing mind on sound, breathing, on visual image of deity or symbol. They all have one aim to concentrate mind. Tratak, category concentration, concentration on sound are some of the ways to focus it on one single point. Concentrating on breathing, concentration on sensations, observation of thoughts, emptying the mind, Hatha yoga and pranayama are various methods to control mind.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Meditation - A step by step process

Meditation is as essential for us as breathing, eating and sleeping. It is attained step by step. It is a matter, not of miracle, but of evolution, of growth. To master a language, a person learns alphabets first, then words, sentence formation, tense, modals etc. Mind can be focused without any effort while doing interesting things. Most of the persons find it difficult to concentrate mind on the tedious work. One can improve its power of focusing by concentrating the mind on one chore which one is doing presently. One can further strengthen the power of concentration through practice and patience. The increased focus power helps in clarifying ideas, making complex things simpler, removing confusion and enhancing efficiency and working capacity. With the result, one can accomplish more work in less time. 

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Different ways to control mind

Every body has its own thought world. Daily near about 50,000 thoughts arise in mind. If they are negative then a person feels sad and if negativity continues for some days it leads to depression. Through the practice of japa of mantra, pranayama and yoga along with reading sacred books one can fill mind with pure and positive thoughts and eradicate impure thoughts.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Control Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Mind is monkey

Mind is restless, unsettled, confused, indecisive and uncontrollable. Mind jumps from one thought to another just like a monkey who jumps from one tree to another. The monkey like mind is not satisfied in the present moment. It is constantly distracted with replaying the happenings of past events or planning for the future. Focusing of mind to stay in present can be achieved by practicing meditation.

Meditation is a technique for having full control over mind by constant observation of thoughts entering the mind. It trains mind to work without getting tensed, stressed, tired and aged. It keeps the mind cheerful, peaceful, calm, serene and young as there is increase of grey matter. Most importantly it helps one to be peaceful in turbulent times.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Low cut dresses

Two women passed from the passage in the park wearing low cut dresses. On seeing them Mrs. 'V' commented, "I do not know what these women wants to show. The 50% population have all the same what they have."
I said, "Actually, they are worried about the rest of the 50% population." ;)

Bird house in my balcony!

Earlier in my balcony only pigeons and Indian robin came in my balcony for drinking water and eating grains and bits of food. At that time I used to place a bowl of water and some food for them. After I put bird houses in my balcony many new birds have started coming in my balcony. Some of them are bulbul, parrot, tree pie, Indian myna and crow.

To all bird lovers, my advice is to place nest boxes in the garden, balcony, courtyard and veranda to increase the movement of different species of birds in the environment.

Today my Facebook status is
Rufous treepie is having breakfast in my balcony! :)))

Tomorrow it might be your's! :)

(For buying bird house in Delhi and NCR write a mail to chandrikashubham@gmail.com)

Cover page

These days I am busy in deciding the cover page of my upcoming book on meditation. It has been written it in simple, crisp and witty manner that no one will ever find meditating a boring task. I have decided to go for a silhouette of a meditating human being on its cover page. I am finding it difficult to finalize the color of background.
Dear readers, I need your suggestions what should be the color of the background of a book on meditation?