Swami Vivekananda’s power of concentration stunned these youngsters

Once during His visit to Chicago, USA, Swami Vivekananda was taking a stroll on the banks of a river. There he saw some young boys with an air gun trying to shoot at eggshells floating in the river. As the shells rolled up and down on the choppy water, the boys could not hit them. None of the boys hit an eggshell, despite trying many times.

Swami Vivekananda was watching their game with keen interest. Seeing this, the boys called out to Him, “Sir, you have been watching us all this time. Would you like to give it a try?” Swami Vivekananda smiled and said that he would like to try. Taking the air gun in his hand, he aimed at the eggshells and concentrated on the target for some time. Then he fired the gun twelve times and hit an eggshell each time!

The boys were awestruck on seeing Swamiji’s skill and asked, “Well, Sir, how could you do this? Have you had a lot of shooting practice?” Swamiji laughed and said, “No, I have never practiced shooting.” The boys were confused, “Then how is it that you shot so well?”

Swami Vivekananda replied, “Well, let me tell you a secret. Whatever you do, concentrate all your attention on it. Think of nothing else. If you are shooting, keep your mind only on the target. Your aim will not fail. Concentration can work wonders. Even when you are studying, think only of the lesson at hand. Then you will easily remember what you study.”

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What Swami Vivekananda displayed here is that power of concentration can help you succeed in any task. As he said, he had never even tried rifle shooting, but he was a master at meditation. And with years and years of meditation, you develop the power of concentration at such a level that you can even excel at a task you have never tried before.

Also read: 10 Swami Vivekananda quotes for youngsters

Mind you, such enormous level of concentration is possible only when you give your whole and soul into it, just like Swami Vivekananda. One can argue that Swamiji was a monk and had all the time in the world to carry out meditation.

That’s quite true. The life in urban cities is such that it’s almost impossible to get a lengthy period for meditation. But one can surely take out 15-20 minutes in the morning for his or her well-being.

If you still feel there is no time for it, just try waking up 15 minutes early than your normal schedule.

Additional reading:

How Swami Vivekananda attacked communalism, casteism, class division in one go