- Do you have the Right Concentration?
Joe Giordano, Synecticsworld
By Joe Giordano
The eighth principle of the path, Right Concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration.
According to TheBigView.com, “Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions.”
Wholesomeness is something that we should all strive for in our lives. Wholesome thoughts, wholesome actions and wholesome behaviors are those that create an attraction to one by others. When we are wholesome, we are generally in a giving mode. We offer thoughts and ideas to others with no fear of negativity or judgment. We are essentially offering our whole-selves for the benefit of others.
If our focus is on being in a giving mode, it conversely provides us with the ability to receive with much more openness. This openness from giving, or doing for others, affords us a way to take in both positive experiences and ones that are perceived to be otherwise. As we are in the Right Mindfulness, we can then process the data we are receiving to see it as it really is, not how we might distort it to fit other circumstances.
Being wholesome in business is something we never talk about. My feeling is that it takes too much effort and concentration to actually focus on being in that state. When I think of wholesome thoughts and actions it makes me connect to the ethos of the practice of Synectics and the individual climates that we bring into any situation. It is within our own personal climates that we must focus on creating an open, safe and inviting world, which starts with focusing on ourselves—creating the Right Concentration on us.
In order to create the Right Concentration on ourselves, we actually have to be purposeful with the action of doing so. It is widely known that the Buddhist method of choice to develop Right concentration is through the practice of meditation.
The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. When we allow ourselves to ignore the temptation of distraction, meditation is a soothing, self-focused engagement that helps us clear away the distractive, imposing, negative elements of our lives. Meditation provides you with time of focus on yourself that is a cleansing, centering experience that should practiced every day.
See All 8 Paths through reading these articles in this series
Do You Have the Right Livelihood
Do You Have the Right Mindfulness
Do You Have the Right Concentration
Skype Joe Email Joe Joe’s Office
