1.40 – Through such training, one’s power of concentration extends from the smallest particle to that which is of the greatest magnitude.
परमाणुपरममहत्त्वान्तोऽस्य वशीकारः ॥४०॥
paramanu parama mahattva antah asya vashikarah
- paramanu – smallest atom; infinitesimal particle
- parama-mahattva – greatest magnitude; ultimate size
- antah – end; limit; extends to; encompasses
- asya – of this
- vashikarah – mastery; control
The more we train ourselves to focus on a single principle of reality, the more refined that ability becomes. Our gaze becomes steady and powerful. Nothing remains out of our reach.
We can concentrate on the subtlest of sensations or the vastness of an ocean. We can stare at the North Star for hours while watching the rest of the sky move around it. We can gather our attention around a single line of text or survey the various lines of thought in an entire book.
In other words, through intensive yogic training, we can learn to master our attention and unlock our greater potential.
