Power of Focus – Ultimate Advice for Students and Young People

Initially Everything is Difficult but with Practice it becomes left hand Play. It becomes easy.

When we Were Children Even to turn over the side, We Needed Practice. When we Wanted to stand up, we tried with all our effort we fell down but neither did our parents get disappointed. They knew it’s a part of the learning process. They first day if they had become Disappointed The whole World would have remained sitting. It is important to understand that it is a process. Some people they expect quick results. Other people, when they don’t find the king of result, they expected they become dejected. But we must remember that in this process we need to slowly progress.

I was reading the experience of Pat Riley, one of the most successful basketball coaches, when the lost Angeles Lakers had lost for two years in succession to Boston Celtics the second year, they had put in their best Effort still they lost.

The coach said now they are totally demoralized. Because they tried their very best and they lost. He said All right, now next year let’s do like this. All of you improve in these five skills 1%, 1%, 1%, 1%, 1%.

This much you all can do. If you do that, each of you will have improved 5%. All together will have improved 65%. They said,” Yaa that’s practicable Yeah, 1% we can definitely improve”. And that gave them a positive objective. And next time they did it they actually won.

So, if you think you know, I have to become a Saint in one day and then I did not become a Saint. Oh my God! I am a sinner. You try and improve 1% every day. That much you can do? Yes, that much I can do. Just keep improving 1%, and very soon we will be transformed.

We will be a different person. So, as in the World So also in SPIRITUALITY PRACITE One of the most inspiring self-transformation books is the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. He decided that he must improve himself. What to do? He analyzed; these are the 13 areas on which I need to work. He said, “All right, if I try and work on all thirteen together, it will never happen.

Let me focus every week on one area. He drew up the chart he gives it in his book. On this time, I will focus on this. I must learn to be patient. Next week I will focus on this. So, in thirteen weeks he had endeavored on all thirteen points. Then he would repeat again from week one and go again one cycle. Then again one cycle. So, in one year he’s covered those thirteen points. 13*4 = 52, 4 times. And that is how by practice he reached that state.

In the same way, we also by repeated practice, we will slowly and surely steady the mind in God. Initially, everything is difficult, but with practice it becomes baye hath ka khel (left hand play) it becomes easy.

When we were children, even to turn over the side we needed practice. It did not come automatically. And then when we wanted to stand up, we tried with all our effort, ‘dhadam’ we fell down. But neither did our parents get disappointed, “Oh my child has fallen, now he will never be able to stand up. They knew it’s a part of the learning process.

Having fallen a few times, we were able to stand. Then we endeavored to walk, then we started running, and then some people ran so well they got gold medals in their school and college and State. And some even reached the Olympics.

Now, the first day if they had become disappointed, humse to nahi hoga, then the whole world have remained sitting.

SO, IT WAS THE PRACTICE THAT LED TO PROFICIENCY.

The example is given of Madhusudan Saraswati. Madhusudan Saraswati was an advati. So, he used to go around engaging in scriptural debate(shastrarth) and he would defeat people. So once in Kashi he met a Mahatma. The Mahatma said, “Madhusudan, when you defeat somebody, do you get a thrill, happiness?” “Yes.” “And if you get defeated by somebody sometimes, do you feel bad?” “Yes.” “So, if you are experiencing this material happiness and distress from material victory and material defeat, then you are not Brahmagyani. Where is the Brahmagyan? You are talking about Brahmagyan, but you are on the platform of this such – dukh. And you are only increasing your pride by going around engaging in scriptural debate.” Madhusudan, he had pride, he was sincere.

Sincerity is our insurance policy that lets us know our defects. He said then, “How will I tackle with this?” The Mahatmaji said, “Look, go and engage in bhakti, in devotion to God. That will cleanse your heart.” Madhusudhan, he resolved to do exactly that.

He went off to Vrindavan, and he sat there and engaged in bhakti. After one year of bhakti, he did not get darshan of Shri Krishna. He became nirash (disappointed). He said, “Are kya sab bekar hai, kuch nahi hoga, it’s all useless.” So, he was going off. Now, when he was about to leave from Vrindavan there was another Mahatma sitting.

Mahatma said, “Madhusudan, you got disappointed in one year’s time?” Madhusudan said, “How do you know? Who are you?” “I am somebody, God sent.” Madhusudan said, “What should I do? Can you help me get darshan of Shri Krishna?” Mahatma said, “Look, I cannot help you get darshan of Shri Krishna, but I have a ghost (bhoot). Will you have darshan of the bhoot?” Madhusudan said, “You know, if I can’t have darshan of Shri Krishna, now let me have darshan of the bhoot itself.” You tell me our your sadhna.”

Mahatmaji taught him the sadhana to have darshan of the bhoot. Madhusudan returned and he sat for one year to do that sadhana, but he did not even have darshan of the ghost. So again, he was coming out. Now Mahatmaji was still there. He said, “Come, come, come beta what happened?” “Maharaj, even your sadhana did not work.” Mahatmaji called the ghost. He said, “Why did you not give him darshan?”

The ghost said, “Maharaj, I want to give him darshan. But when I get close, I start getting burnt. There’s so much of effulgence inside him then I start getting burnt.” Hearing that Madhusudan realized that my sadhana is bearing results. I have not reached hundred percent, but something is happening.

So, he got encouraged and he decided, all right now I will go and do it. So, he went back. It is said that he sat down there for three years and did sadhana. Finally, Shri Krishna gave him darshan. When Shri Krishna gave darshan Madhusudan turned his head. I will not look at you. Mood off. Shir Krishna said, ‘Bhai, what is his problem? I am giving you darshan and your mood is off?’ Madhusudun said,” Why did you take so long?”

Shri Krishna showed him the mountains of paap, of sin. Look, all this your past Karmas of endless lifetime were there. All these got burnt off with your devotion, and then I came and gave you darshan. It is a process. It is not a unit step function. I was here and here now.

Similarly, the conquest of the mind will be through slow and steady practice.