DEVELOPING THE POWER OF ATTENTION
We all know that attention is a very desirable skill, but how many possess it? It is a must for every person who desires to succeed, whether on a minor or a major scale, whether in the material or spiritual world. In order to gain success you need to be able to focus your mind, and to calm down its restlessness and tendency to constantly shift from one subject to another.
Every act needs attention for its successful performance. Working, talking, conversing, studying and playing require attention. Even washing, cleaning the house or cooking require it, in order to be handled efficiently.
People are not born with the power of attention. It has to be developed. Its development and training starts from a very early age. We try to grab the attention of a baby by making strange noises. Later we focus the attention of the child by reading him/her stories. As the children grow up they are required to concentrate on whatever they study or read. All of these activities help to some extent to develop and focus the power of attention, but they are not enough.
There are times when the attention becomes very strong, though involuntarily, and without exercising real control over it. You have certainly experienced a few times a total blankness to the outside world, when you were absorbed in an interesting thriller or while reading a captivating book. This usually happens when we engage in activities that we enjoy and love.
For this ability to be useful, it should be under the control of your will. You have to be able to decide where and when to focus your mind. Real and effective power of attention should be under your control, and you should be able to exercise it whenever you need it.
Every day you are presented with plenty of opportunities to strengthen the power of your attention. Actually, every action can be turned into an exercise. Hold your mind on whatever you do, and try to concentrate without deviating to something else. It is true that special concentration exercises are necessary, but if you cannot find the time and place to perform them, you can turn the whole day into an enjoyable exercise. Focus on whatever you do, and in time your ability would increase.
In this way you will not only strengthen your attention and concentration, but everything you do will be done better, more efficiently, and even faster. In time, as your attention gets stronger, thoughts will lose their power to distract you, and you will find that you can absorb yourself in whatever you do. This will increase your efficiency, and make you enjoy whatever you do.
FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND STRENGTHENING THE POWER OF ATTENTION
When reading a book, focus your eyes and mind on the words, and do not to think of anything not connected with what you are reading. Ignore outside noises and any irrelevant thoughts.
Dress up, and at the same time put your whole attention on your movements.
While having a shower, pay attention to every part of the body that you are soaping and washing.
When you clean the house, mow the grass or cook, concentrate on each act and movement, without daydreaming or thinking about something else.
While working, focus your mind on what you are doing, as if it is the only important thing in the world, even if you do not like your job.
While working up, walking or engaging in any kind of physical activity, don't daydream or think on whatever enters your mind. Instead, focus your attention on what you are doing.
While conversing, listen attentively to what people are saying.
While eating, focus your mind or your food and on enjoying it.
Always do one thing at a time.
You don't have to do all the above, all the time. Even a few minutes, now and then, will do wonders for you, and develop your powers of attention. Persevere, and you will gain a very useful ability, which will help you on many occasions in your life.
THE BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING CONCENTRATION
Sometimes you can find strong powers of concentration in yourself. When you really and earnestly want to excel in your studies, pass an important exam or solve a problem, this power becomes available to you. In such cases, it appears because of some need or desire, but developing it in a systematic way brings it under your control, and grants you the ability to use it intentionally, whenever you need it. To do so, you need to practice special exercises on a daily basis.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN GAIN BY DEVELOPING THIS POWER:
Control of your thoughts.
The ability to focus your mind.
Peace of mind.
Freedom from futile and annoying thoughts.
The ability to choose your thoughts.
Better memory.
Self-confidence.Inner strength.
Will power.
Decisiveness.The ability to study and comprehend more quickly.
Inner happiness.
Enhanced capability to develop psychic abilities.
More powerful and efficient use of creative visualization.
Enhanced ability to meditate.
QUOTES ON SELF CONTROL
Self control is the rejection of anger, intolerance and impulsiveness.
Whoever is able to rise above anger, gets closer to inner peace.
Self control ultimately leads to detachment and peace of mind.
Who controls who? It is the Spirit controlling the lower nature.
Discipline is the rejection of instant gratification in favor of something better and higher.
Controlling the lower nature is of great importance to anyone desiring to have good relationships.
Letting anger and impatience run riot create trouble, unpleasant situations and the loss of friends.
You don't control negative habits with force. You do so by developing new, good habits.
Transform your negative habits into positive ones, through affirmations, visualization and positive behavior.
Impatience leads to regret and unhappiness.
Patience and perseverance lead to success and achieving your goals.
Self control saves you of mistakes, embarrassment and loss.
