In The Essence of Self-Realization, Yogananda says, “To meditate a short time with depth is better than to meditate for long hours with the mind running wild. “In the beginning, therefore, don’t force yourself to sit for a long time. Strive for shorter, but deeper, meditations. Then gradually, as you become accustomed to going deep, lengthen the time you sit in meditation.”
To meditate with depth, try to remember how it feels when you are focusing intensely. One summer on a hike, I passed a spot along the trail in the North Cascades where I smelled a bad musty smell, and I immediately thought “bear.” – as I had smelled this before. At that moment a man coming down the trail passed me and said that he had seen signs of bear. My senses immediately became extremely alert, as I proceeded up the trail “with bated breath” listening and looking very intently for any sign of a bear.
This is how we need to be when we finish our meditation techniques and sit in the silence. We need to expect to Him to be there – to be waiting with “bated breath.” This is deep concentration. Try it!!