Concentration exercises:

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Concentration exercises: Each-mantra-of-each-round:You have to chant and hear each mantra. Right here and now. Focus on this bead you are now holding between your fingers, this mantra that is now being uttered from your lips and now entering into the ear. And then move onto the next mantra, which you must focus on in the same way & #8230; and the next & #8230; and the next. This may work for 10 or 15 mantras, maybe even 30, and the mind will become diverted again. Then you have to pull the mind back and set to it again. Continue to do this and you will succeed At the end of each round, take stock of how well you did, and resolve to make the next round even better: & #8220;This time I am going to concentrate fully on each and every mantra of this round & #8211; all 108. & #8221; The attitude is, & #8220;Right now, this is the only round that counts. & #8221; And

so it goes on for each and every mantra of each and every round & #8230; You will see steady improvement & #8230; And if you practice this each and every day, your rounds in general will steadily improve. Emphasizing individual words & #8211; gradually build up:At the beginning of each round, decide on a particular word or words in your mantra to emphasise, e.g. the first "Hare" of the first half, or every "Krishna", or the two "Ramas" in the last line. You will see how the words you emphasise start to stand out more With each round, add to it: the double "Krishna" and the double "Rama". Again, these words in the mantra will stand out more. Keep adding to it, never take a step backwards, or allow an emphasis you have already established slip away, until finally you are emphasising every word of the mantra. Reading it: If the maha-mantra is written on the wall somewhere, try reading it while you are chanting it. With each word of the

mantra that you are chanting, follow it on the wall with your eyes. This way, you are engaging one additional sense in helping you to concentrate. Blank the Mind: Take a moment to put the mind in "blank" state and try to hold it in that state while you chant. Chanting in Unison:Form a group (or pair) and chant a round or two in unison. The strength in numbers and trying to keep the same pace really helps in conquering the minds failing attention span. Four Steps: First of all, make sure you are not tired. Make sure you have proper pronunciation. Make sure you are not being distracted by anything. Then fix on your concentration.