Concentration Aids Speed and Accuracy in Action

0:01 The human propensity to set up either or scenarios leads us to believe that we either have to focus on perfection or speed in the things we do. This is actually a false choice because it leaves out the factor of concentration, which can accomplish actions with speed while not sacrificing accuracy. If we review carefully our normal action, we find that even when we are generally focused on something, we have distractions, stray thoughts, etcetera. We may experience some physical sensations such as hunger. We may be thinking about what we are going to do after we finish the project.

0:44 We may be speculating on career, personal relationships, etcetera. Many people carry their personal concerns with them into whatever they are doing, and this tends to create both distraction and a certain amount of friction, which leads to either errors or delays, Or we act under time pressure and push things along without concern about possible errors or missteps. When we focus instead on perfection in the action, we tend to slow down and move to a laborious review process. This method is actually recommended in certain spiritual paths to train the individual in the ability to observe his own inner process and exercise due care in all he does. As a training exercise, it can be very valuable, but in the world of action, it too has its drawbacks. If it causes substantial delays, the power of concentration, to the extent we can harness it, allows us to block out these distracting thoughts, feelings, emotions, and speculations, and thus reduces the friction speeds the result without sacrificing the quality of the work.

2:03 This can help us achieve a balance between speed and accuracy. A disciple asks when one works and wants to do 1's best. One needs much time, but generally we don't have much time, we are in a hurry. How to do 1's best when 1 is in a hurry, The mother writes quote. It is a very interesting subject and I wanted to speak to you about it in detail one day. Generally, when men are in a hurry, they do not do completely what they have to do, or they do it badly what they do well. There is a third way. It is to intensify 1's concentration. If you do that, you can gain half the time even from a very short time.

2:50 Take a very ordinary example, to have your bath and to dress. The time needed varies with people, doesn't it? But let us say half an hour is required for doing everything without losing time and without hurrying. Then if you are in a hurry, one of two things happens. You don't wash so well or you dress badly. But there's another way to concentrate 1's attention and one's energy. Think only of what one is doing and not of anything else, not to make a movement too much, to make the exact movement in the most exact way. And it is an experience lived. I can speak of it with certitude. You can do in 15 minutes what you were formerly doing in half an hour and do it as well, at times even better, without forgetting anything, with the, without leaving out anything, simply by the intensity of the concentration. And this is the best answer to all those who say, oh, if one wants to do things well, one must have time. This is not true for all that you do, study, play, work. There is only one solution to increase one's power of concentration.

4:11 And when you acquire this concentration, it is no longer tiring. Naturally, in the beginning it creates a tension, but when you have grown used to it, the tension diminishes and a moment comes when what fatigues you is to be not those concentrated, to disperse yourself. Allow yourself to be swallowed by all kinds of things and not to concentrate on what you do. 1 can succeed in doing things even better and more quickly by the power of concentration, and in this way you can make use of work as a means of growth.

4:52 End Quote Reference Sri Aurobindo and the Mother Powers within, Chapter 4 Concentration, pages 41 to 42.