What’s the difference between “meditation” and “concentration”?

October 2nd, 2009 | by admin |
meditation
heartscared asked:


Every time I ask someone to explain meditation to me, their answer ends up sounding like the definition of “concentration”, except you close your eyes.

David
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    1. No Responses to “What’s the difference between “meditation” and “concentration”?”

    2. By Pi is Knowledge on Oct 3, 2009 | Reply

      Meditation is a type of concentration? I’m not too sure about how to be more specific, since I know little about the definition of ‘meditation’ either…

      Why don’t you just look up the term in a dictionary or something?

    3. By kessie on Oct 6, 2009 | Reply

      When you meditate, you allow your mind to roam freely. When concentrating, you’re totally focused on the task at hand.

    4. By sally spoonfull of sugar on Oct 6, 2009 | Reply

      i think it may be the apposite
      when you meditate you become all calm and awake of ur surroundings
      concentration would ruin it

    5. By JRock on Oct 8, 2009 | Reply

      i think its a case of internal vs external. meditate to look into yourself, concentrate to look intently at something outside yourself…

    6. By Xystren on Oct 11, 2009 | Reply

      They are both similar, yet very bi-polar opposites.

      Meditation typically has the goal is to achieve “stillness or quietness of mind”

      Concentration is the opposite, focusing of attention to one single thought or topic.

      Often they are used interchangeably. How often have you hears someone say “Let me meditate on that topic.” In fact they are concentrating on that topic. So, it gets used quite interchangeably in regular speech.

      Cheers,
      Greg

    7. By . on Oct 12, 2009 | Reply

      Meditation is probably the opposite of concentration. It’s a state of complete awareness, a state without thoughts or concentration on any one thing. it’s the abolition of concentration. You can meditate eyes closed or open, but the intent is to break free of worldy bonds and thoughts. you simply do not think.

    8. By 4u4me3 on Oct 15, 2009 | Reply

      Meditation is when you close your eyes & focus hard on clearing your mind completely, like when you’re trying to relax so you can get to sleep.

      Concentration is when you close your eyes & focus hard on one thing, like when you’re trying to figure out the solution to a math problem while doing homework.

    9. By solomon on Oct 18, 2009 | Reply

      Meditation is the total relaxation of the mental state,,to allow the purging of ALL thoughts ,and the cleansing of the corridors of the mind as to refresh and start anew..To attempt to become one with oneself,,for the purpose of total relaxation.. Concentration ,,is the definite mind focus on a subject or task totally,, with the purpose of committing oneself to a positive conclusion.. Total attention !! Both consist of reaching a goal.. However Meditation is for the body ,,and concentration is for an explanation,,which the mind renders.. Distinct differences !! SOLOMON

    10. By RudyH on Oct 19, 2009 | Reply

      Traditionally, in Buddhism and Hinduism, there are two main types of meditation techniques. One focusses on improving our concentration, but the second one is at least as important; that is the development of wisdom/insight/understanding. Only the two combined make really sense for spiritual progress.
      Without concentration, our mind is like an untamed and uncontrolled horse. Without wisdom, our mind could even be tamed, but we wouldn’t know where to go…. :-)

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