Is meditation is connected with concentration of mi nd on a fixed point?

Question

There is a saying that meditation and concenrtration of mind on a fixed point is different and no connection at all

Answer 1

meditation should be free of any thought , that includes a fixed point
however a fixed point maybe be needed for beginners

Answer 2

In order to be in a meditated state, a person needs to be able to concentrate. Once the person can concentrate for a long period of time, he/she can go into a meditated state. Yes, concentration is needed in meditation. But it's not meditation. In a meditated state, you will feel connected to ALL There Is. You experience oness with the cosmic, with the universe, with everything.
Many people who has meditated for many years don't feel much effect after a while. This is because they need to change to a different meditation method that will help them to advance to a higher meditated state. The previous method is only good for a particular stage. After that, you'll need another method that'll help bring you to a higher state.

Answer 3

Meditation on a fixed point (or process, such a the rhythm of ones breathing) can be a useful exercise in training the mind. It is used in such practices as Soto Zen.

However I think to be much use, meditation has to be something you can bring into play at any time. If you're stressed out in traffic and surrounded by noise, then if your meditation technique depends on finding a solitary point in a quiet room, you're going to be a bit lost, aren't you?

So in the end one needs to move beyond 'navel gazing'. Though if your aim is relaxation, it can be quite effective.

Answer 4

Mediation has three main steps viz.

1- remove all thoughts from external world
2- Fix on one thought of God/light/beat/breath
3- Leave that thought too and go beyond mind and thinking process...this leads to samadhi or enlightenment if done with patience for long time

Answer 5

Not any point. Your own concetration is the main

Answer 6

Meditation or Dhyana is one of the angas (limbs) in the astanga-yoga (eight limbs) process practiced in the Satya yuga. The eight limbs are:-
1.yama- means controlling the senses
2.niyama- following strict regulations, rules and regulation
3.asana-sitting postures.
4.pranayama- breathing exercise
5.pratyahara-drive out sense objects such as sound, touch, form, taste and smell
6.dharana- trance, concentration of the mind.;
7.DHYANA- MEDITATION
8.samadhi -being absorbed in Vishnu or Krishna consciousness.

The result of the above process is that the yogi meditates or sees the Supersoul(Paramatma), the plenary portion of Krishna as Vishnu within himself. Krishna is situated as Supersoul in the heart of everyone. It is mentioned that, "As a blazing fire burns everything within a room, Lord Vishnu, situated in the heart of the yogi, burns up all kinds of impurities."

Srimad Bhagavatam(12.3.52),
Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

There are similar verses
Vishnu Purana (6.2.17), Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda 72.25) and Brihan-naradiya Purana (38.97):
"Whatever is achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by the performance of sacrifice in Treta-yuga, and by the worship of Lord Krishna's lotus feet in Dvapara-yuga is obtained in the age of Kali simply by glorifying the name of Lord Kesava."

Brahma-vaivarta Purana also says,
"Thus in the age of Kali the practices of austerity, yoga meditation, Deity worship, sacrifice and so on, along with their various subsidiary functions, are not properly carried out, even by the most expert embodied souls.

The four yugas have four different process for serlf-realization
1. Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu,
2. Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices,
3. Dvapara-yuga by temple worship
4. Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

It is by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra as explained by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON(International Society for Krishna Consciousness)

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA
KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA
RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

The word Hare is the form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama are forms of addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krishna and Rama mean the supreme pleasure, and Hara is the supreme pleasure energy of the Lord, changed to Hare in the vocative. The supreme pleasure energy of the Lord helps us to reach the Lord. . .

These three words, namely Hare, Krishna and Rama, are the transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His energy, to give protection to the conditioned soul. This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother's presence. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the Lord Father's grace, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this mantra sincerely. . .

No other means of spiritual realization is as effective in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy as the maha-mantra:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.