We are born with limited conscious power. But there is a way we can expand and strengthen it. Fortunately we are already practicing the two of these breathing exercises (which will eventually train us for meditation) and journaling.
The job of attention is to focus on one object at a time outside of the general field of consciousness. It is energized by our conscious power. For instance, as you breathe, you pay attention to the sensations of air going in and out of the nostrils; as you journal, you pay attention to the words you are writing; and finally when you read you step into a literary dream the book creates.
AWARENESS
Like attention, awareness also gets its energy from conscious power. As you pay attention to the inhalations and exhalations, you are also aware of the thoughts circulating in your mind, or the sound of a distant car, or the smell of a scented candle in the room. In journaling, your attention is on the words pouring out of your pen, but you are also aware of the chair you are sitting on or the warmth in the room. While walking, you pay attention to the movements of your feet, but you are also aware of birds chirping and leaves swishing.
Do you see the difference? Attention is self-absorbed focus. Awareness puts the focus of your attention within the context of whatever you are experiencing. Although your five senses and mind take in data all the time, awareness filters out unimportant information that is not relevant to you.
When there is optimum interaction between attention and awareness, there is mindfulness. The more you practice breathing and journaling, the more you train your attention and awareness to work together. These two disciplines together expand and strengthen the conscious power as in mindfulness.
Thanks for this clear and practical explanation of attention and awareness – and their interplay with mindfulness. The past few days have been full of things I needed to ‘attend’ to. I feel that I’m doing such tasks with more awareness and mindfulness, not just as a checklist.
Lorraine
Thanks for this clear and practical explanation of attention and awareness – and their interplay with mindfulness. The past few days have been full of things I needed to ‘attend’ to. I feel that I’m doing such tasks with more awareness and mindfulness, not just as a checklist.
Madhu B. Wangu
You’re welcome, Lorraine!
Hope your day was mindful and heartfelt.