DEVELOP AN ATTENTIVE MIND

Attention is a key component of success no matter what you want to achieve. There are different types of attention, such as narrow attention, wide attention, outer attention and observer attention. Like the beam of a laser, narrow attention is focused and sharp. You might use this type of attention when you are busy with a math problem or writing an exam. Ideally, your attention should be open like the beam of a floodlight when you are riding a bike because if a car moves closer to you on the side, or if a child is playing up ahead, you would notice. This type of attention is called wide attention. Outer attention refers to attention paid to your surroundings through your senses. The process of paying attention to your inner feelings and thoughts is called inner attention. Observer awareness refers to the ability to identify the type of attention that you are using. For example, when you draw a picture, you realize your attention is narrow and you are aware of your attention being wide as you walk through a field on a farm. You can train your attention through mindfulness by sustaining it on one thing or switching from time to time between various types of attention. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop an attentive mind.

Dr Ora Marx