The Power of Attention – Focusing the Consciousness

In his book Raja Yoga, Yogi Ramacharaka (William Walker Atkinson) speaks about the power of attention.

What is the power of attention?

It is the skill of focusing your attention on a thought or action without thinking of anything else. It means fixing your attention exclusively on one thing without wavering.

This might seem difficult, but it is within reach, provided you train your mind to focus your attention with concentration exercises.

Excerpt from Raja Yoga by Yogi Ramacharaka

“The word Attention is derived from two Latin words ‘ad tendere’, meaning ‘to stretch toward,’ which is really what attention is.

The ‘I’ wills that the mind be focused on some particular object or thing, and the mind obeys and ‘stretches toward’ that object or thing, focusing its entire energy upon it, observing every detail, dissecting, analyzing, consciously and sub-consciously, drawing to itself every possible bit of information regarding it, both from within and from without.

We cannot lay too much stress upon the acquirement of this great faculty, or rather, the development of it, for it is necessary for the intelligent study of Raja Yoga.

Attention has been defined as a focusing of consciousness, or, if one prefers the form of expression, as “detention in consciousness”.

In the first case, we may liken it to the action of the sun-glass through which the sun’s rays are concentrated upon an object, the result being that the heat is gathered together at a small given point, the intensity of the same being raised many degrees until the heat is sufficient to burn a piece of wood, or evaporate water.

If the rays were not focused, the same rays and heat would have been scattered over a large surface, and the effect and power lessened.

You can learn more about focus and attention in our focus and concentration guide.

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And so it is with the mind.

If it is allowed to scatter itself over the entire field of a subject, it will exert but little power and the results will be weak.

But if it is passed through the sun-glass of attention, and focused first over one part, and then over another, and so on, the matter may be mastered in detail, and a result accomplished that will seem little less than marvelous to those who do not know the secret.

The Attention does not readily fasten itself to uninteresting objects, and, unless interest can be created, it requires a considerable degree of Voluntary Attention in order that the mind may be fastened upon such an object.

And, more than this, even if the ordinary attention is attracted it will soon waver, unless there is some interesting change in the aspect of the object, that will give the attention a fresh hold of interest, or unless some new quality, characteristic or property manifests itself in the object.

This fact occurs because the mind mechanism has not been trained to bear prolonged Voluntary Attention, and, in fact, the physical brain is not accustomed to the task, although it may be so trained by patient practice.”

This is an excerpt from Raja Yoga by Yogi Ramacharaka (William Walker Atkinson).

Focus and Attention Are Important

Focus and attention are most important skills for anyone. Children, students, and people in every job need focus and attention.

This skill is important for people of all ages, making it possible to do everything more efficiently and with fewer errors and mistakes.

The power of attention means focus. It means the ability to direct one’s consciousness and awareness to one object or topic.

The skill is essential for a writer and for a person handling machinery. It is important for a student and for a person working in an office, for a driver and or a teacher, for a businessman and for people practicing meditation.

Everyone can, to some extent, some more and some less, develop the skill of focus and attention.

How to Strengthen the Power of Attention

Attention becomes stronger through practice. Every time you deliberately bring your mind back to one thing instead of allowing it to wander, you are strengthening your ability to direct your consciousness.

You can practice this in ordinary activities, without setting aside a long period for meditation or concentration exercises.

When you read, give the book your full attention instead of checking your phone every few minutes. When someone speaks to you, listen without planning what you will say next. When you eat, notice the taste, texture, and aroma of the food instead of eating while your attention is absorbed by a screen.

These are very simple actions that you can implement in your everyday life.

You can also choose to focus on a simple object, such as a plant, a cup, or a candle, and observe it for several minutes. Notice its shape, color, texture, and small details. When thoughts about other things arise, do not fight them. Simply notice that your attention has wandered and gently bring it back to the object.

This simple act is important. The goal is not to prevent thoughts from appearing. The goal is to become less controlled by them.

Attention and the Habit of Distraction

Modern life constantly competes for your attention. Notifications, messages, advertisements, social media, conversations, and a steady stream of information encourage the mind to move from one thing to another.

If you repeatedly give in to every distraction, scattered attention can become a habit. You may find yourself reading a few paragraphs, checking your phone, returning to the article, opening another tab, and then wondering why a simple task takes so long.

The opposite habit can also be developed.

Choose one activity and stay with it for a predetermined period. Start with five or ten minutes. During that time, resist the urge to switch to something else. If your mind wanders, return to the activity.

With regular practice, you gradually become more capable of deciding where your attention goes instead of automatically following whatever catches your attention.

A Simple Daily Practice

Once or twice a day, choose one ordinary activity and make it an exercise in attention.

For five minutes, give it your complete attention. Do not try to make the mind blank. Simply remain with what you are doing.

You might wash the dishes, walk, read, listen to music, drink a cup of tea, or sit quietly and observe your surroundings.

Notice whenever your attention moves away. Then bring it back.

This may seem like a small exercise, but it trains an important ability: the ability to direct your attention deliberately.

The more you practice, the easier it becomes to concentrate when concentration really matters, whether you are studying, working, reading, creating, solving a problem, or practicing meditation.

Attention is not merely something that happens to you. It is a mental faculty you can train and strengthen.

Related Article:
The Importance of the Power of Attention

You can find information, tips and advice about the power of concentration, together with exercises and instructions in the book Focus Your Attention.

Does Your Mind Jump From One Thing to Another, Making It Hard to Get Things Done?

Focus is a skill you can train. Learn practical techniques and exercises to sharpen your attention, resist distractions, and get more done — in any area of your life.

Discover the Book →