ELIZABETH DENLEY traces the changing qualities of attention, from focused observation to loving absorption.
“To be great, be whole;
Exclude nothing, exaggerate nothing that is not you.
Be whole in everything. Put all you are
Into the smallest thing you do.
So, in each lake, the moon shines with splendor
Because it blooms up above.”
—Fernando Pessoa
“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
—Henry Miller
What does it mean to “put all you are into the smallest things you do,” as Fernando Pessoa describes? And to give “close attention to anything,” as Henry Miller invites us to do? Perhaps you give close attention to chemistry, to music, to your children, or to the infinite inner universe. Swami Vivekananda describes this process simply and scientifically in his book, Raja Yoga, when he says, “The instrument is the mind itself. The power of concentration, when properly guided and directed toward the internal world, will analyze the mind and illuminate facts for us. The powers of the mind are like rays of light dissipated; when they are concentrated, they illumine. This is our only means of knowledge. Everyone uses it, both in the external and the internal world; but, for the psychologist, the same minute observation has to be directed to the internal world, which the scientist directs to the external; and this requires a great deal of practice.”
Attention starts with intention, the impetus to direct thought energy toward a specific goal or purpose. In yoga, energy is known as prana, and the mastery of energy is pranayama, the fourth limb of yoga. In fact, pranayama is just as good a definition of attention as the commonly understood definition of pranayama as breathing exercises. Focusing our thought energy on a topic throws light on it. And as the power of the human mind is limitless, both the inner and outer worlds share their secrets with us when we shine this light on them.
It is best done without force, as force narrows the field. The most effective attention is expansive and effortless, described in yoga as samadhi, the eighth limb of yoga. Samadhi is cultivated through the practice of meditation, which involves both dharana and dhyana, the sixth and seventh limbs. Specifically, dharana is the focusing of thought, occurring as attention is held and supported so the flow of experience may unfold. In turn, dhyana is the vehicle that transports us to the Ultimate.
There is attention that is purely observational or scientific in nature, and attention that is infused with love, presence, and oneness with the object of attention. They have different qualities, and both have value. Scientific attention is necessary for discernment and clarity, while loving attention engages a different level of perception, creating oneness and allowing grace to flow into the heart.
Then there is attention that is beyond the conscious realm—at first, that may seem like a paradox, but it can be verified by experience. Consciousness carries with it the ego and all the subconscious patterns of habits and tendencies. Where attention becomes really interesting is when it transcends this conscious realm, when we are totally absorbed in it, and for this, it is helpful to turn inward through meditation.
Meditation with transmission is ideal for this purpose, as the transmission holds us and effortlessly lifts us into other dimensions. It is apt that the Farsi and Urdu word for transmission is tavajjo, which also means “attention.” Transmission naturally carries our attention to the innermost layers of our being through the impulses of the soul. It takes us to a realm beyond even the universal consciousness that is so highly sought after.
The act of listening is a wonderful way to discover how we use these different types of attention. We can listen in a very precise, observing manner; in a loving manner, fragrant with empathy and compassion; and in a manner that simply rests in a yielding heart, without adding any weight to the situation.
Ultimately, we let our attention flow freely to those things we love, as that is where our interest lies. That is why it is so important to find the things we love and pursue them, authentically, even as they change at various stages of life.
We let our attention flow freely
to those things we love,
as that is where our interest lies.
That is why it is so important
to find the things we love and
pursue them, authentically,
even as they change at various stages of life.
Elizabeth Denley
Elizabeth is the founding editor of Heartfulness Magazine. She is Australian, loves meditating, writing, playing and singing music, gardening, thinking, spending time with her two grown up children, and life in general. She has been a st... Read More
