CONCENTRATION ON A SINGLE POINT - „EKAGRATA”

The starting point of yoga meditation is concentration on a single object, which can be either a physical object (the place between the eyebrows, the tip of the nose, a shiny object, the flame of a candle), a thought (metaphysical truth) or God (Ishwara). This constant and sustained concentration is called EKAGRATA, and it is achieved through the integration of the psychomental process (where multifaceted, discontinuous and distracted attention dominates). This is what defines the yoga technique: yoga cittavrittinirodhah.

The immediate effect of the ekagrata, the concentration on a single point, is the rapid and clear control of all distractions and all mental automatisms that dominate, or more precisely constitute, the consciousness of the profane. Man, immersed in the free play of associations (which are the products of latent subconscious and sensory impressions), allows himself to be controlled by an infinite number of moments that are contradictory and as if external to himself.

The senses or the subconscious constantly introduce objects into consciousness, which master it and modify it according to the form and intensity assigned to them.Associations distract consciousness, passions enslave it, the „desire for life” betrays its presence by projecting it outwards. (...) Beneath the appearances of thinking, there is in fact hidden an indefinite and chaotic brilliance feeding on impressions, words and memory. The main task of the yogi is to think, that is, not to be carried away by thinking.

Mircea Eliade ” Yoga - immortality and freedom”.”