When you sharpen a pencil to a fine point, it becomes sharp but limited in reach. Awareness should not be like that. It should be like a torchlight whose beam can expand, illuminating more as it widens. A narrow beam shows little, but a broader light reveals much more. This is the kind of awareness we need. Within such awareness, concentration arises naturally.
Concentration is not rigid fixation; it is simply recognizing and holding something in awareness. When thoughts become restless, concentration helps steady them—but first, you must notice that the mind is wandering. Most of the time, the mind moves constantly, yet we remain unaware of it. We observe the body—its movement, tension, and fatigue—but rarely notice the same in the mind. This lack of awareness continues in daily life.
Awareness is a natural ability of the mind to observe and focus. It works together with concentration. If you try to force concentration, it creates tension. Instead, develop awareness, and concentration will follow more easily.
In some practices, keeping the eyes closed can lead to excessive inward absorption. Therefore, certain paths like kriya yoga emphasize developing inner awareness even with the eyes open. This leads to mastery at different levels—ida, pingala, and sushumna—representing mental, vital, and balanced states.
In this progression, pratyahara leads to relaxation and awareness, dharana to concentration, and dhyana to deeper clarity or illumination. These stages form a natural path from relaxation to higher awareness.