Well, we’ve made it to the last step on the Eightfold Path: Right Concentration. The simplest way to define Right Concentration is “one-pointedness of mind.” It’s when we are totally laser-like focused on one point, one thing. We know what it means to concentrate. We’ve all had the feeling of getting so engrossed in what we are doing or watching that the outside world fades away. But not every time we concentrate counts as Right Concentration.

Bhante Gunaratana explains that the Buddha taught that Right Concentration has three special characteristics. First, it is always wholesome. By wholesome, it is free from greed, hatred, and delusion. One simple example: when a cat focuses on pouncing on a mouse, it is absolutely concentrating. But it’s not wholesome.

Second, Right Concentration moves us into deep and powerful levels of focus. Eight, to be exact. We won’t go through them here (mostly because I couldn’t possibly explain levels of concentration I’ve never experienced!). But we’ll touch on the first four throughout the month. For now, it’s enough to recognize that Right Concentration brings us very deeply into our awareness in ways normal life does not. Dedicated, disciplined meditation practice resides at the center of this step on the path.

Third, it uses mindfulness to develop wisdom. Remember, wisdom remains the goal of the practice. What kind of concentration or awareness would it be if we remain foolish or ignorant or unskillful?! So it’s not about getting a medal if you sit in right concentration for two hours. It’s about what you do when you get up off your mat.

I know this is a strange month to practice something that feels so distant. I don’t know about you, but my mind has been like a little rubber bouncing ball more often than usual. All of the anxiety and unknowing and grief and sadness swirling around affects the quality of our minds. In some ways, it’s not an ideal time to start up or deepen your meditation practice.

But of course, in other ways, there is no better time. In the next post, I’ll share a very simple meditation exercise that helps calm our monkey minds. Because what remains true is that Right Concentration has always been about simply showing up, and continuing to show up, on your mat.

Where do you find yourself concentrating your attention these days?

Can you find five or ten minutes to concentrate simply on your breath?

This post belongs to my series on the Eightfold Path. You will be able to read all my posts on the eighth step, Right Concentration, here.