Focusing Attention
Once we can recognize the difference between thought and our attention, then we can start using our attention to focus on certain phenomenon, both thought and non-thought. Of course our perceptions and impressions of the world we pay attention to, cycle back through thought again in order for it to make sense to us, but the ability to witness that they are indeed 'thoughts' give us a more proper reference point and helps us appreciate the tool of thought.
Holding our focus and really paying undistracted attention is not easy. There is a story of a Saint who after 40 years of deep meditation practice, finally reported to his students that he now is at a point where he can fully focus his attention on his mantra (recitation of certain sound syllables) for 1 minute. Of course there are endless teaching stories such as this in the spiritual traditions, but suffice it to say, it is not easy to fully focus on the present moment unless our life is on the line, or some tantalizing reward awaits us. To most of us, at least initially, sitting quietly, focusing on seemingly nothing, with no reward or outside stimulation is the very definition of boring. So basically, each person needs to see the need for (the wisdom of) this type of practice and ultimately, sincerely want this flavor of freedom in their lives. We need to really want it!
Luckily for us, the reality of each moment is far from boring. As pointed out in the section on the Ripple Effect, there are constant waves of energy rippling through our environment each and every moment. In fact, there is so much going on in any given moment that, if we were to all at once become aware of all the energy dancing around us, through us and from us, our nervous system would explode (so to speak) and we would most likely go mad. So the process of this stage of meditation has to do with adjusting the blinders. Not removing them all of a sudden, but learning to widening our view and our experience of what is actually occurring. Using our freed up attention to simply become aware of the unbelievable brilliance of the world around us.
For example, imagine looking across your living room at, lets say, a plant you bought. Then paying attention to the fact that it is in a constant state of creation and vibration. That is is in fact radiating vast amounts of energy in ripples which are impacting your skin, your bones and blood and your mind. Its presence is making a difference in your life and not just because of how it looks, see Spectrum of Vibration, but because it is indeed 'the burning bush'. Imagine having this fresh and stimulating experience with all the things surrounding us. To view and more importantly, experience, the world we live in as a universe bursting with vibration, color, sound and energies we have yet to discover how to experience. After all, as we know from Spectrum of Vibration, what we see and what we hear make up only .005% of the vibration occurring at any one moment. As they say, there is more going on "than meets the eye".
So as we learn to focus and use our freed up attention, a new curiosity arrises about the everyday objects and activities and relationships. And this childlike curiosity can become an aid in holding attention even further. For many of us adults, pure focused curiosity is like an un-used muscle, it can become strong again and aid in the experiencing of our lives. The curiosity muscle can play a powerful roll in the arts. Certainly in painters, sculptors, poets, dancers, sometimes in photographers, creative teachers and cutting edge scientists etc… but specifically within improvisational musicians (high level jazz oriented or classical indian musicians). When having a conversation with these artists about their creative process within their art form, it very easily could sound like a deeply spiritual conversation about meditation. Even if they are not at all drawn to spiritual practices. And the reason for that is straight forward, because it is actually the same thing. Becoming more present, following the moment into a universe of vibration and energy where we are not involved in thinking and observing, but purely engaged and involved.
This is why in the ancient scriptures and writings from all across the world, it is said that the arts (especially music) are the activities most akin to spiritual practice. But as they also say, "if you see Buddha on the road, kill him". This means that the very vehicles (such as a meditation technique, or a musical instrument, or a philosophy) which brought us to those thought-free, in the moment, energy filled states, need to be left at the door as well. Which brings us to the third stage of meditation, Dissolving Attention.
More on this topic soon…
Holding our focus and really paying undistracted attention is not easy. There is a story of a Saint who after 40 years of deep meditation practice, finally reported to his students that he now is at a point where he can fully focus his attention on his mantra (recitation of certain sound syllables) for 1 minute. Of course there are endless teaching stories such as this in the spiritual traditions, but suffice it to say, it is not easy to fully focus on the present moment unless our life is on the line, or some tantalizing reward awaits us. To most of us, at least initially, sitting quietly, focusing on seemingly nothing, with no reward or outside stimulation is the very definition of boring. So basically, each person needs to see the need for (the wisdom of) this type of practice and ultimately, sincerely want this flavor of freedom in their lives. We need to really want it!
Luckily for us, the reality of each moment is far from boring. As pointed out in the section on the Ripple Effect, there are constant waves of energy rippling through our environment each and every moment. In fact, there is so much going on in any given moment that, if we were to all at once become aware of all the energy dancing around us, through us and from us, our nervous system would explode (so to speak) and we would most likely go mad. So the process of this stage of meditation has to do with adjusting the blinders. Not removing them all of a sudden, but learning to widening our view and our experience of what is actually occurring. Using our freed up attention to simply become aware of the unbelievable brilliance of the world around us.
For example, imagine looking across your living room at, lets say, a plant you bought. Then paying attention to the fact that it is in a constant state of creation and vibration. That is is in fact radiating vast amounts of energy in ripples which are impacting your skin, your bones and blood and your mind. Its presence is making a difference in your life and not just because of how it looks, see Spectrum of Vibration, but because it is indeed 'the burning bush'. Imagine having this fresh and stimulating experience with all the things surrounding us. To view and more importantly, experience, the world we live in as a universe bursting with vibration, color, sound and energies we have yet to discover how to experience. After all, as we know from Spectrum of Vibration, what we see and what we hear make up only .005% of the vibration occurring at any one moment. As they say, there is more going on "than meets the eye".
So as we learn to focus and use our freed up attention, a new curiosity arrises about the everyday objects and activities and relationships. And this childlike curiosity can become an aid in holding attention even further. For many of us adults, pure focused curiosity is like an un-used muscle, it can become strong again and aid in the experiencing of our lives. The curiosity muscle can play a powerful roll in the arts. Certainly in painters, sculptors, poets, dancers, sometimes in photographers, creative teachers and cutting edge scientists etc… but specifically within improvisational musicians (high level jazz oriented or classical indian musicians). When having a conversation with these artists about their creative process within their art form, it very easily could sound like a deeply spiritual conversation about meditation. Even if they are not at all drawn to spiritual practices. And the reason for that is straight forward, because it is actually the same thing. Becoming more present, following the moment into a universe of vibration and energy where we are not involved in thinking and observing, but purely engaged and involved.
This is why in the ancient scriptures and writings from all across the world, it is said that the arts (especially music) are the activities most akin to spiritual practice. But as they also say, "if you see Buddha on the road, kill him". This means that the very vehicles (such as a meditation technique, or a musical instrument, or a philosophy) which brought us to those thought-free, in the moment, energy filled states, need to be left at the door as well. Which brings us to the third stage of meditation, Dissolving Attention.
More on this topic soon…
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