Could you give us some hints on being able to concentrate the mind?

Ans : Concentration is a question of persistent, persevering endeavour. Concentration does not become fruitful in a day; it is not a process that at once gives results overnight, and in the beginning it is a very unpleasant and painful process. The very nature of the human mind is to be scattered-to oscillate between numerous things. It never stops; it is like a grasshopper! In as much as you now have set yourself to change the essential nature of the mind and hold it to the object of meditation, naturally the mind feels it to be a terrible bondage, and it does not want to do it. Here it is that the aspirant requires great tenacity. You must always struggle, keeping in view the glorious end that will ultimately lead you to eternal happiness.

People can practice for days and months and years, and make no progress, and they feel disgusted. Experienced masters suggest various methods. If, for instance, you get very tired of concentration upon your object of meditation, all right, stop your concentration and try to think at that moment what is most pleasing to you-some beautiful flower or some scenery, or something else which is very pleasant to you. Try to bring to your mind that thing which is most pleasant and upon which the mind likes to spontaneously fix itself. It is a question of mental training. Read some books or do some other practice and when the mood comes again, then do concentration. You must always use your intelligence and try to make concentration as pleasant and interesting as possible.