Difference Between Concentration and Meditation

Concentration vs Meditation

Concentration and meditation are two mental states of mind often confused with each other. In truth, both states are very different.

Concentration is a state of mind wherein a person’s mind is focused or points all its attention on a particular object, objective, or benefit. The word is also the application to the act and process of having this particular state of mind. Concentration is the opposite of a wandering or unfocused mind. In this state of mind, there is the element of control, direction, will, decisiveness, and action in this particular state. Concentration allows a focused or limited action or activity towards a particular intent or effect. It can involve mental visualization, the will, and repeated recitation.

Concentration relies on self-control and mind focusing. It usually involves a prolonged focus and consciousness of the mind. It involves the inner world (the person’s mind) and the outer world (the person’s environment). Another factor in concentration is that it somewhat encompasses the past, present, and future. Concentration is connected to the past because it is the result of an event. While the present refers to the actual act of concentration and the future, there is a desired effect or impact from doing the act of concentrating.

In the act of concentrating, there is the act of concentration on the object. There is also a limit on concentration. It has a start and a finished stage. Often concentration causes exhaustion and frustration, especially if the desired effect is not achieved.

On the other hand, meditation is also a state of mind. Meditation is often the opposite of concentration. The nature of meditation is not an unfocused mind but an uncluttered mind. Unlike concentration, there is less or no brain activity when performing this function.

Meditation does not require any control, will, or direction. The meditative mind offers more freedom and fewer restrictions. Although a concentrated mind can lead to meditation, mediation itself has fewer burdens on the mind. The state of meditation focuses on the present which is the act itself. The goal of meditation is to reach self-realization, prolonged awareness, and not control or any desired effect.

Instead of focusing the mind, meditation opens the mind to a person’s inner world. The environment in meditation is virtually non-existent. It is often a function to achieve an inner peace or calm.

Summary:
1. Both concentration and meditation are two descriptions for a particular mental state. Both actions can lead to relating and gaining direction or purpose.
2. Simply put, concentration is an act to achieve a focused mind. On the other hand, meditation is an act to achieve an uncluttered mind.  In terms of the process, concentration can lead to meditation.
2. Concentration requires control, self-awareness, and the will while meditation only requires continued awareness. Concentration can result in a self-focused and self-controlled mind while mediation brings self-realization to the practitioner.
4. Meditation requires less or no brain activity while concentration can require a variety of mental exercises like focusing, visualization, and repeated recitation.
5. Concentration is often associated with an inner world (the person’s mind) and the outer world (the person’s environment). On the other hand, mediation only focuses on the person’s inner world.
6. In mediation, the person has almost no consciousness of action; meanwhile, concentration requires the person to have a bit of consciousness to do the mental activities.
7. Concentration can cause mental tiredness or fatigue due to the efforts and activities made during this stage. On the other hand, meditation offers mind relief.
8. Concentration is not just an act; it also entails an object during the process. Meditation, on the other hand, requires no object to achieve its results.

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