Attention is indeed a more fundamental capability of the mind than reasoning and imagination. Newness walks in through the door of attention, vitalising us. The formless takes form, initially through attention. Monkey brain profits nothing. Letting go of thinking mind and its various suggestions and reasonings appears so life-threatening. Yet, when we make space for attentive mind, it is life-giving.
Well you gave me a prompt today and this came out. I'd like to chat more personally, but here are thoughts that may be of interest.
Attention is a moral act…. words of Iain McGilchrist
The Matter With Things Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World
To be open, to allow, to be aware to what is not expected, not known, or even wanted. Is this even possible as humans? To look, really observe reality as it unfolds, not as we remember it, but as it presents moment to moment is a challenge.
Choosing how one gives attention does seem to stem from what is valued by us. What draws us, what wants our attention, some would say? But that plays out more like lures of attraction, distraction even. But when I sit in my garden of aliveness, plants as well as with people, there is a deeper way of attending that generates aliveness, excitement even and delight. I’m surprised again and again with the relations of relations I get to be part of. The diversity keeps unfolding before me more and more, richer and deeper connections occur within me. Certainty it not part of this kind of attending. Manipulating as in grabbing or fixing in place the observations once and for all, seems to kill the aliveness.
I remember living in NYC and observing that an event would happen. Someone would take a picture, someone would write about it, and those experiencing it would become famous for a moment. The moments of attention were fleeting, but some would take on a life-time of attention as in starting careers, starting relationships, changing the course of history. I loved living in NYC it was like a giant kaleidoscope constantly changing before my eyes moment by moment as I walked the streets with millions of others. When walking there you don’t look at each individual passing you by, that would be impossible, so you find a way to move along with the moving crowds and you can feel like you’re a part of a moving river, not standing out from the rest, but one with it, as all the parts were moving as ensemble. At first there’s a kind of self-consciousness, whose looking at you? Then you realize no one is looking at you and it frees you to simply be however you wish, acting freely giving your attention moment by moment. And folks living in NYC are there, either by default, as in born into situation there, or you came there to realize your dreams. People come to find themselves, realize what they want to give attention. And history is made on those giving their attention just in time as needed to what they value, what gives them delight and what fulfills and advances life. Notice to what and how your attention is used; given or chosen?
Wonderful reflections, Skye. Thank you so much. And God, how I wish this beautiful sentiment were the case, most of the time:
"And history is made on those giving their attention just in time as needed to what they value, what gives them delight and what fulfills and advances life."
Yes, most people are giving their attention to what they value. But many are getting their delight, not from the experience, but rather from the reward. And as far as advancing life? Take a good look at the people making history in the world today.
I remember when I first found Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards many years ago. I couldn't draw to save my life. A good stick figure was difficult to create. One of the early exercises was to turn a picture upside down and draw it. I turned a picture in the newspaper upside down and was able to create a pretty nice drawing. As I went through the exercises, they were thrilling and boring all at the same time. It was HARD work to focus for long periods of time and draw. Yet when I could get my monkey mind to pay attention, I also felt a kind of ecstasy to really be in the moment. Your post has made me want to go back to that book and do those exercises all over again.
Yes, that's a wonderful book, Dave. And turning a picture upside down is a great way to overcome the limitations of our analytical left brains. We would often do that with our paintings to force ourselves to see our work with fresh eyes.
I hope you follow through on that impulse to draw again. :)
Attention is indeed a more fundamental capability of the mind than reasoning and imagination. Newness walks in through the door of attention, vitalising us. The formless takes form, initially through attention. Monkey brain profits nothing. Letting go of thinking mind and its various suggestions and reasonings appears so life-threatening. Yet, when we make space for attentive mind, it is life-giving.
Well you gave me a prompt today and this came out. I'd like to chat more personally, but here are thoughts that may be of interest.
Attention is a moral act…. words of Iain McGilchrist
The Matter With Things Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World
To be open, to allow, to be aware to what is not expected, not known, or even wanted. Is this even possible as humans? To look, really observe reality as it unfolds, not as we remember it, but as it presents moment to moment is a challenge.
Choosing how one gives attention does seem to stem from what is valued by us. What draws us, what wants our attention, some would say? But that plays out more like lures of attraction, distraction even. But when I sit in my garden of aliveness, plants as well as with people, there is a deeper way of attending that generates aliveness, excitement even and delight. I’m surprised again and again with the relations of relations I get to be part of. The diversity keeps unfolding before me more and more, richer and deeper connections occur within me. Certainty it not part of this kind of attending. Manipulating as in grabbing or fixing in place the observations once and for all, seems to kill the aliveness.
I remember living in NYC and observing that an event would happen. Someone would take a picture, someone would write about it, and those experiencing it would become famous for a moment. The moments of attention were fleeting, but some would take on a life-time of attention as in starting careers, starting relationships, changing the course of history. I loved living in NYC it was like a giant kaleidoscope constantly changing before my eyes moment by moment as I walked the streets with millions of others. When walking there you don’t look at each individual passing you by, that would be impossible, so you find a way to move along with the moving crowds and you can feel like you’re a part of a moving river, not standing out from the rest, but one with it, as all the parts were moving as ensemble. At first there’s a kind of self-consciousness, whose looking at you? Then you realize no one is looking at you and it frees you to simply be however you wish, acting freely giving your attention moment by moment. And folks living in NYC are there, either by default, as in born into situation there, or you came there to realize your dreams. People come to find themselves, realize what they want to give attention. And history is made on those giving their attention just in time as needed to what they value, what gives them delight and what fulfills and advances life. Notice to what and how your attention is used; given or chosen?
Skye Hirst 9/23/24 1st day of Fall
Wonderful reflections, Skye. Thank you so much. And God, how I wish this beautiful sentiment were the case, most of the time:
"And history is made on those giving their attention just in time as needed to what they value, what gives them delight and what fulfills and advances life."
Yes, most people are giving their attention to what they value. But many are getting their delight, not from the experience, but rather from the reward. And as far as advancing life? Take a good look at the people making history in the world today.
I remember when I first found Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards many years ago. I couldn't draw to save my life. A good stick figure was difficult to create. One of the early exercises was to turn a picture upside down and draw it. I turned a picture in the newspaper upside down and was able to create a pretty nice drawing. As I went through the exercises, they were thrilling and boring all at the same time. It was HARD work to focus for long periods of time and draw. Yet when I could get my monkey mind to pay attention, I also felt a kind of ecstasy to really be in the moment. Your post has made me want to go back to that book and do those exercises all over again.
Yes, that's a wonderful book, Dave. And turning a picture upside down is a great way to overcome the limitations of our analytical left brains. We would often do that with our paintings to force ourselves to see our work with fresh eyes.
I hope you follow through on that impulse to draw again. :)