Power of concentration

[Guest guest]

Once, in America, Swami Vivekananda was watching some boys. They were

standing on a bridge trying to shoot at egg-shells that were floating

on the river. The egg-shells bobbed up and down. The boys could not

hit any of them. They fired the gun many times, but always missed the

target!

 

They noticed that Swami Vivekananda was watching them. So they called

out to him: 'Well, you are watching us. Do you think you can do

better?'

 

Swami Vivekananda smiled and said: 'I will try.'

 

Then the boys said: 'It's not so easy as you think!'

 

Swami Vivekananda took the gun and aimed at the egg-shells. He stood

very still for a few minutes. Then he fired the gun. He fired twelve

times, and every time he hit an egg-shell! The boys were very

surprised. How could any man shoot egg-shells like that? They

thought. They said to Swami Vivekananda: 'Well, Mister, how did you

do it? You must be a practised hand.'

 

Swami Vivekananda laughed and assured them he had never handled a gun

before.

 

'Whatever you are doing,' he explained, 'the secret of success lies

in the power of concentration. Put your whole mind on it. If you are

shooting, your mind should be only on the target. Then you will never

miss. If you are learning your lessons, think only of the lesson. In

my country boys are taught to do this.'

 

 

The power of concentration is the only key to the treasure-house of

knowledge.

 

--Swami Vivekananda