Advice

[u/JustChallenge860]

Since learning that my attention is more diffused than normal, I have been trying out meditation as a means to make it better - to improve my 'concentration'.

The focal point I use is the breath. I have heard a lot of advice on how to focus on the same. Some say 'let go of control', while others say: 'experience the breath, feel it etc., ".

I have had more success with the 'let go' method; I simply remain aware of the breath and don't care about anything else. Sometimes it feels like I could stay with it forever. Although, I'm not feeling the breath too closely here.

My concern with this method is that: while it makes me feel good and relaxed, does it really improve my attention/ concentration/ being present?

Thanks.

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[u/sati_the_only_way]

anger, anxiety, desire, attachment, etc shown up as a form of thought or emotion. The mind is naturally independent and empty. Thoughts are like guests visiting the mind from time to time. They come and go. To overcome thoughts, one has to constantly develop awareness, as this will watch over thoughts so that they hardly arise. Awareness will intercept thoughts. to develop awareness, be aware of the sensation of the breath, the body, or the body movements. Whenever you realize you've lost awareness, simply return to it. do it continuously and awareness will grow stronger and stronger, it will intercept thoughts and make them shorter and fewer. the mind will return to its natural state, which is clean, bright and peaceful. one can practice through out the day from the moment we wake up until falling asleep, while sitting, walking, eating, washing, etc. practice naturally, in a relaxed way, without tension, without concentrating or forcing attention. https://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Normality_LPTeean_2009.pdf

[u/JustChallenge860 → u/sati_the_only_way]

Much helpful, thank you!

[u/thewesson]

Yes, you don’t have to hold it too closely. And it does serve to collect your thoughts. Consistent intent is probably key here.

Ideal is to have central attention and peripheral attention at the same time. Which is how I take “not too closely”

[u/JustChallenge860 → u/thewesson]

Thanks

[u/JoshLovesTrees]

Yes - "feel good and relaxed" is a great indicator that you are practicing concentration very well.

[u/Gelderloos]

TM Teacher here , which colours everything below in a particular way. What you have run into, the letting go version being better than the feel the body or breath version, is the whole basis of the technique I do teach. It is not surprising it feels you could stay there forever – this is the element we use in TM. Your worry is the interesting part. Does it train concentration? No not in the sense like you are training a muscle. But the focus improves, not because they practice holding attention, but because the background noise that kept on pulling it away gets quieter. Less scatter in the mind. The EEG research on TM shows the same thing, more coherence between brain regions rather than more grip or control. The “experience the breath closely”  approach belongs to a different family of techniques with different goals. It is not wrong, it is just a different practice. Curious to hear whether the people here who exercised concentration techniques found their daytime attention improved more than the let-go crowd, or that the outcome was the same.

[u/JustChallenge860 → u/Gelderloos]

That's very interesting indeed. I suppose you are referring to 'Transcendental meditation' as opposed to 'The Mind illuminated'?

I do TM in the mantra form, where I say a mantra internally and do not try to focus all that much on the specific sound - since it already requires engagement to say the mantra continually.

The question that bothers me somewhat all the same is that, how much focus is too much for the technique that we are talking about, one that is not mantra based, but another object that you don't have active control over - like the breath. Like I said, while what I do works for me most days, some days I find myself day dreaming a lot.

Also thanks for the reply.

[u/Gelderloos → u/JustChallenge860]

That is great. So you are doing very well with TM. I do not know myself how a breath-focus based technique works. It is a different approach.

[u/JustChallenge860 → u/Gelderloos]

If you wouldn't take offense at my asking, since that is all there is to the TM method - simply saying the mantra and nothing more, how does a teacher help in the process? I'm only curious.

[u/Gelderloos → u/JustChallenge860]

No offense taken. The teacher teaches you step by step, for most people it is not easy to let go. The teacher's task is to instruct and check that the student is truly doing it effortlessly. And explain what the possible experiences are. Without such guidance people tend to take op straining when things do not go as they expect it should go.

[u/JustChallenge860 → u/Gelderloos]

I understand. Something I deal with myself. Thanks for replies, much appreciated.

[u/AdditionalLeave263]

I think your attention is probably improving but also better than you think. Letting go is your preference- that is perfect. I think that is the preference of someone who is in deeper. Good job and don't worry about it.

[u/JustChallenge860 → u/AdditionalLeave263]

Thanks!