What’s the difference between mindfulness and concentration meditation?
by Ramesh Bjonnes
Most Western yogis are familiar with mindfulness meditation, the practice of watching the breath, thoughts, and feelings without attachment. Robert Wright, bestselling author of Why Buddhism is True, a book about mindfulness meditation, explains that there is also another form of meditation, namely concentration meditation. “Sometimes, if sustained long enough,” he writes, “it can bring powerful feelings of bliss and ecstasy. And I mean powerful feelings of bliss or ecstasy.” [1]
Mindfulness and concentration (dharana) are both central to classical meditation practice. Mindfulness is the practice of simply watching the mind without attachment. You want to become a witness to your own thoughts—no judgment, no excitement, just watching.
Mindfulness is practiced at all levels of meditation, from the time you begin, when the mind is still somewhat restless, until you have a feeling of concentrated flow, and still further until you have a deep and sustained bliss experience. Why? Because, without mindfulness, the detached, witnessing, inner observer part of the mind can quickly be overshadowed by the ego’s sense of pride and judgment. And before you know it, the deep focus and bliss are gone.
Concentration meditation is used after a period of mindfulness to focus the mind on the breath, a mantra, and a chakra to further deepen the mind’s feeling of flow and uninterrupted focus. At first, such flow and focus may be sporadic, but after some time of diligent practice, it will be easier and that is when feelings of deep inner peace and even bliss may arise.
Lingering feelings of clarity and bliss may remain after such meditations, sometimes for hours, even days. If there is near-perfect mindfulness coupled with a stillness of the mind, the observer recedes. Without mental interpretation (ego), a flow of ecstasy ensues and for very experienced yogis culminates with samadhi—union with Divine Consciousness, or a deep stillness beyond the fluctuations of the mind, according to Patanjali in his famous text, the Yoga Sutras.
[1] Robert Wright, Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment, Simon and Schuster, 2017
Other Blogs Posts
Finding Unity – Within & Without
You may be familiar with the story of the elephant and the six blind men, or a similar tale. As they inspect the elephant, each of the six men gain a different understanding of what the elephant is according to what they touch. One feels a wall, another a hose, a fan,...
Sattvic Recipe: Suran Kofta and Tomato Curry by Chef Sweet Baby James
A special Sattvic diet recipe prepared for Prama Institute and Wellness Center by Chef Sweet Baby James of Blue Dream Curry House.
Diet for a Healthy Planet
Howard Nemon Over fifty years ago, when Frances Lappé wrote her ground-breaking book, Diet for a Small Planet, the idea that the food we eat was significantly affecting our health and that of the earth was a novel, if not radical, idea. Not only did Lappé’s book...
You Are Worth It! – 5 min Self-Care Routines To Include In Your Day
You are an amazing human being doing amazing things all day. If you are like me, you want to keep doing those amazing things. I know it sounds like a cliche but, to keep moving you have to take care of yourself. I must admit, self-care did not come easy to me, I can give easier to everyone except myself. Although, through burnout and stress, I realized just how important self-care is.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ramesh Bjonnes
Ramesh is the Director of the Prama Wellness Center where lifestyle is considered our best medicine. Ramesh is also a writer, yogi and workshop leader. He studied yoga therapy in Nepal and India, Ayurveda at California College of Ayurveda and is a certified yoga detox theraphist from the AM Wellness Center in Cebu, Philippines. He has taught workshops in many countries and is the author of four books, including Sacred Body, Sacred Spirit (InnerWorld) and Tantra:The Yoga of Love and Awakening (Hay House India).
