Quotes about Concentration

How the mind can participate in the sensations of the body and yet maintain its serenity, and focus on its own well-being.

If you can cut free of impressions that cling to the mind, free of the future and the past—can make yourself, as Empedocles says, "a sphere rejoicing in its perfect stillness," and concentrate on living what can be lived (which means the present) then you can spend the time you have left in tranquillity. And in kindness. And at peace with the spirit within you.

She's just jealous, people say, as if jealousy is something minor. But it's not, it's the worst, it's the worst feeling there is—incoherent and confused and shameful, and at the same time self-righteous and focused and hard as glass, like the view through a telescope. A feeling of total concentration, but total powerlessness. Which must be why it inspires so much murder: killing is the ultimate control.

Though it's hard to concentrate on the idea of a future. She's too immersed in the present:

Positive and negative emotions cannot occupy the mind at the same time.

Fastings and vigils without a special object in view are time run to waste.

You cannot hear music and noise at the same time.

Gentlemen should not waste their time on trivial games -- they should play go[3]

But I have to add - and this answers your other question - this catholicity in time and in space is only meaningful for me if there is, at the same time, a concentration on the Gospel.

My greatest asset now is my focus.

Let each hour of the day have its allotted duty, and cultivate that power of concentration which grows with its exercise.

No man burdens his mind with small matters unless he has some very good reason for doing so.