Related to this topic is DṚG-DṚŚYA-VIVEKA, which inquiries about the ontological aspects of the mind.
The quiet art of attention
201–210 of 291 posts
Re: The quiet art of attention
#202[flagged]
Wheels don't repair themselves, so the analogy doesn't really work.
Re: The quiet art of attention
#203In regard to watching the mind, one thing I’ve observed is a little strange, and I was hoping to get other’s experiences. I like to watch the movement of my attention. Nothing abstract, just to observe where attention is aimed - it takes a mere 30 seconds of watching. What I’ve noticed, is it moves around, seemingly without my input, and lacking any conscious intent (a concept the blog post makes a point to reclaim).…
Sam Harris makes the point that this, our actual observable experience, is the strongest argument against free will.
Highly recommend his meditation app 'Waking Up' in which he explains and teaches these concepts better than any source I've yet found
Re: The quiet art of attention
#204Well written! I can relate to most of the article. However, I find that > To focus on one thing deeply, to give it your full attention, is to experience it fully. And when we do this, something remarkable happens. Time, which so often feels like it is slipping through our fingers, begins to slow. doesn't really apply to me, or to many people I know and have worked with - it is when I focus on one task that "time flie…
Yes. For many years, working on hard problems was my "drug of choice", because while in that state time disappeared, as did emotional pain -- being fully invested in a problem used up enough of my brain to shut up the internal narrator and the consciousness of pain.
It still does. But eventually you become aware that you aren't solving the key problem, just making it worse by not addressing it.
Re: The quiet art of attention
#205[flagged]
I can't find any citations for this, and it doesn't make sense. Is this AI slop?
Re: The quiet art of attention
#206In regard to watching the mind, one thing I’ve observed is a little strange, and I was hoping to get other’s experiences. I like to watch the movement of my attention. Nothing abstract, just to observe where attention is aimed - it takes a mere 30 seconds of watching. What I’ve noticed, is it moves around, seemingly without my input, and lacking any conscious intent (a concept the blog post makes a point to reclaim).…
"I am not my thoughts." Or, as I prefer, "these thoughts are not mine." Experience that over and over again and everything gets a little easier, a little clearer. That's when the detachment from thoughts begins.
Re: The quiet art of attention
#207This article is only scratching the surface of a much deeper path.
I highly recommend the book "Awake: It's Your Turn" by Angelo DiLullo
Re: The quiet art of attention
#208Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Which is resolved with dialogue. If the contradictions are brought up. In my experience noting contradictions usually leads to evasive memes and anger/unhappiness.
Then mum’s the word.
Cutting off access to an entire region of potential upward utility...perhaps permanently if no one is willing to fight the consensus.
Re: The quiet art of attention
#209In regard to watching the mind, one thing I’ve observed is a little strange, and I was hoping to get other’s experiences. I like to watch the movement of my attention. Nothing abstract, just to observe where attention is aimed - it takes a mere 30 seconds of watching. What I’ve noticed, is it moves around, seemingly without my input, and lacking any conscious intent (a concept the blog post makes a point to reclaim).…
I meditate a good bit, an hour a day, and it doesn't stop thoughts arising, so I've had some time to think about this.
My guess is, it's just an evolutionarily useful thing, for your brain to keep pinging you about various things.
It doesn't mean of course that meditation is not useful. But you want to have control over these thoughts. Without a meditative practice, it's all too easy to allow your consciousness to be consumed by these impulses (which can lead you astray).
Re: The quiet art of attention
#210This was written beautifully. I needed to read something like this in a moment of pain I am going through. Thank you.