I find it quite difficult to be able to concentrate deeply on anything for any length of time-the mind seems to always fly away to some other thing. How can one find a deeper level of concentration?

Ans : It is a common question of every aspirant; how to concentrate the mind, or why does the mind wander. To put it in a general way, the mind wanders because it is the very nature of the mind to do so! Tossing of the mind is inherent in the make-up of the mind. But there are external factors too. You may be exhausted, or emotionally upset or too occupied with the miscellaneous activity of the day. Now what exactly is this wandering? The mind is flitting from one object to another. It is thinking of sense objects or past experiences. It dwells upon them one after another. You must take note, as this point is very important: the mind tends to think of those objects that it likes. It tends to roam amidst those objects that it has tasted previously, to which it is attached, in which it finds pleasure. The constant exercise of viveka (discrimination) and vichara (enquiry), the development of vairagya (dispassion) and the subduing of likes and dislikes are the means of removing mind-wandering and attaining success in concentration. Other factors like sattvic food, avoidance of unnecessary talk, distracting sights, and a certain amount of seclusion are also important. But the main requisite is intense aspiration and extreme dispassion. You must also develop love for your chosen object of concentration or meditation.