Omsriaurobindomira All Life Is Yoga “All life is Yoga.” – Sri Aurobindo Concentration Sri Aurobindo | The Mother SRI AUROBINDO DIGITAL EDITION Copyright 2020 AURO MEDIA Verlag und Fachbuchhandel Wilfried Schuh www.auro.media www.savitri.yoga www.sriaurobindo.center eBook Design SRI AUROBINDO DIGITAL EDITION Germany, Berchtesgaden ALL LIFE IS YOGA Concentration Selections from the Works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother Second edition 2020 ISBN 978-3-937701-86-8 © Photos and selections of the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust Puducherry, India Flower on the cover: Euphorbia milii. Bright red. Spiritual significance and explanation given by the Mother: Concentration Does not aim at effort, but is simple and persistent. Publisher’s Note This is one in a series of some e-books created by SRI AUROBINDO DIGITAL EDITION and published by AURO MEDIA under the title All Life Is Yoga. Our effort is to bring together, from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, simple passages with a practical orientation on specific subjects, so that everyone may feel free to choose a book according to his inner need. The topics cover the whole field of human activity, because true spirituality is not the rejection of life but the art of perfecting life. While the passages from Sri Aurobindo are in the original English, most of the passages from the Mother (selections from her talks and writings) are translations from the original French. We must also bear in mind that the excerpts have been taken out of their original context and that a compilation, in its very nature, is likely to have a personal and subjective approach. A sincere attempt, however, has been made to be faithful to the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. These excerpts are by no means exhaustive. Bringing out a compilation from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, which have a profound depth and wideness unique, is a difficult task. The compiler’s subjective tilt and preferences generally result in highlighting some aspects of the issues concerned while the rest is by no means less significant. Also without contexts of the excerpts the passages reproduced may not fully convey the idea – or may be misunderstood or may reduce a comprehensive truth into what could appear like a fixed principle. The reader may keep in mind this inherent limitation of compilations; compilations are however helpful in providing an introduction to the subject in a handy format. They also give the readers a direct and practical feel of some of the profound issues and sometimes a mantric appeal, musing on which can change one’s entire attitude to them. The excerpts from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother carry titles and captions chosen by the editor, highlighting the theme of the excerpts and, whenever possible, borrowing a phrase from the text itself. The sources of the excerpts are given at the end of each issue. We hope these compilations will inspire the readers to go to the complete works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and will help them to mould their lives and their environments towards an ever greater perfection. “True spirituality is not to renounce life, but to make life perfect with a Divine Perfection.” – The Mother * * * ContentsTitle PageCopyrightPublisher’s NoteQuotationI. CONCENTRATION – ITS IMPORTANCE IN LIFE1. Concentration – Indispensable in Life2. Two Practical ExamplesII. INTRODUCTION1. What is Yogic Concentration2. Two Purposes of Concentration3. Its Prime Importance4. Purity and Concentration5. Difference Between Concentration and MeditationIII. PRACTICAL GUIDANCE1. Some Words of Guidance2. Two Questions and Answers3. How to Cultivate Concentration4. A Method of Learning IdentificationIV. THE DISCIPLINE1. Where to Concentrate2. Concentration in the Heart3. Concentration in or above the Head4. Integral Yoga and ConcentrationAPPENDIXReferencesGuideCoverTable of ContentsStart The Mother Concentration does not mean meditation; on the contrary, concentration is a state one must be in continuously, whatever the outer activity. By concentration I mean that all the energy, all the will, all the aspiration must be turned only towards the Divine and His integral realisation in our consciousness. – The Mother *