Concentration & Focus

[puppychew]

Hi,
In reading Our Ultimate Reality book, I am unable to finish the book since I have been stuck at the concentration exercise chapter.  I haven't even been able to get past the first exercise. 

I am able to count down during a fully awake state, but when at a relaxed level, I am unable to count down from 100 to 1.  I am unable to get past 75 as my mind wanders and lose count.  I am really really trying hard.  I understand this takes time and practice, but I have been practicing too long with out results and am getting very concerned.  This problem is now bringing back memories of grammar school.  I always had problems concentrating and not being able to focus.  Homework would take me four hours but only 30 minutes for the other kids.

I have also tried affirmations, that I can focus easily without effort - no luck. 

This is a problem and I would appreciate any help.

Thanks, Ken

[Gretch87]

I don't like saying "I have a hard time concentrating" because that only re-inforces the subconsciousness mind to beleive it that much more but I do share that same challenge my friend.  Do you have ADD or ADHD like myself?  All I can say is keep practicing and keep it in the forefront of your mind.  Eventually the subconsciousness will pick up on this as being important and will reprogram itself to be able to do it.

[puppychew]

Not officially, but if I were in grammar school today, I'm sure they would have me on medication.  Thanks for the encouragement!

Ken

[HareOm]

describe,

are you going into a trance, falling asleep, so you lose track of your counting ?

are you wide awake, but losing track ?

if you are falling asleep, then i suggest that you learn to meditate on a mantra instead, when you lose track of the #s, pick a mantra, such as Om, Om, Om,
Om,
Om,
Om,
because Om is easy to remember, and it MEANS something, (a lot of things!!!!!) so it is like taking your cellphone and dialing the universal mind.
75 means something (dunno what ) but not as significant...
there's a story of a fellow in some country who is doing work for his father, counting out scoops of food, whenever he gets to three he goes into a huge trance, because the number three in their language sounds a lot like "Om" so he keeps scooping and scooping and scooping and scooping "three, three, three" (Om, Om, Om)


to stay awake in the trance state and focus, very slight sips of coffee or green tea can help, so that you are more alert, but still capable of enterting relaxation
but truthfully it is the mantra, drinking LOTS OF WATER and being hydrated, and practice, that will let you stay conscious in a trance... and even then its not like you can "think" or do much deliberately, its just that you don't "nod off"

[puppychew]

I know that I am in at least an alpha level.  I count and then just zone out.  Something else pops into my head, I realize it, and then don't remember where I left off, so I start over.  Other times I feel so relaxed that I need to try to focus and think of the number that comes before 85. 

If I am not in such a relaxed state, I have no problem, but then I don't think I am in a meditative state - only just consciously sitting with my eyes closed.

Thanks for your advise on the mantra.  I will definitely try it.

ken