Using counting in meditation is a new method in a practice, which improves both awareness and will-power.
Practice meditation as it is described in the first lesson. However, as you repeat the mantra, you set up a goal. For example, repeat mantra five times in a row without being distracted even once.
If some external thought as you are repeating it distracts your mind, the score is set to zero and you start all over again.
In every attempt, you try to do better than it was before.
When your mind gets distracted again and again, you get the intention to concentrate with everything you can. While the body is relaxed, you are looking for the state of a total composure and tranquillity inside your mind. And when you achieve success, your body emits hormones of happiness. As you aspire to calm down a whole mass of waves and micro-movements in the mind, it captures you and meditation gets interesting.