Concentration is the Arrow. Meditation is the Bow.

From: Eternity's Breath by Sri Chinmoy

Concentration is the Arrow.
Meditation is the Bow.


When you concentrate, you focus all your energies upon the
chosen phenomenon in order to unveil its mysteries.
When you  meditate, you rise into a higher consciousness.


Concentration wants to penetrate into the object it strives for.
Meditation wants to live in the vastness of Silence.


In concentration, you endeavour to bring the consciousness
of your object right into your own awareness.
In meditation,  you rise from your limited consciousness into
a higher and  wider domain.


If you want to sharpen your faculties, concentrate.
If you  want to lose yourself, meditate.


It is the work of concentration to clear the roads when
meditation wants to go either deep within or high above.


Concentration wants to seize the knowledge it aims at.
Meditation wants to identify itself with the knowledge it
seeks for.


An aspirant has two genuine teachers: Concentration and
Meditation. Concentration is always strict with the student;
Meditation is strict at times. But both of them are solemnly
interested in their students’ progress.


Concentration says to God: “Father, I am coming to You.”
Meditation says to God: “Father, do come to me.”


Concentration is the commander who orders the dispersed
consciousness to come to attention.


Concentration and absolute firmness are not only
inseparable, but are interdependent divine warriors.


Concentration does not allow Disturbance, the thief, to
enter into his armour.
Meditation lets him in. Why? Just to  catch the thief
red-handed.


Concentration challenges the enemy to a duel and fights him out.
Meditation, with its silent smile, diminishes the  challenge
of the enemy.


Concentration and the surface mind dislike each other.
Concentration opens the door to higher states of
consciousness, while the surface mind wants to stay where it
has always been.


The mind that is incapable of concentration is as changeable
as the wind and as elusive as moonlight.


When concentration reaches its acme, revelation dawns.
Newton saw the law of gravitation in the falling of an apple;
Archimedes discovered the secret of displacement and cried
out, “Eureka!"; J. C. Bose discovered life in plants, even in
metals. The crown of success is attainable only in moments of
deepest concentration.


- Sri Chinmoy