“By making the mind void of thoughts one can gain a natural meditative state.”
Concentration has two distinct meanings. First, it pertains to “paying attention;” it is essential to be constantly aware of what are the limits within which you practice. Injuries in the dojang most often occur when students fail to pay attention to their instructions or neglect the principle of limits – everything has a limit. Joints, for instance, when placed in the proper angle can be broken with the pressure of a single finger. Thus, training in techniques that are potentially dangerous, demand that one “think hard” about what exactly he is doing.
The second meaning ofconcentration is a state of consciousness that may be characterized as a heightened receptivity to learning. Concentration is also related to a calm mind; as the ancient masters taught, “with a calm mind, one is free from hesitation.”