Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity – Simone Weil
Right now, I have your attention.
Crazy.
Even if I wrote this days, weeks, months or years ago I am currently in conversation with you and your attention is here in some form. Right now you’re probably half thinking “what’s he getting at”?
We think of attention as a tiny trivial part of our existence. Just one small piece in the puzzle that makes up our life. When really our attention is the box that the puzzle comes in. Our memories, desires and awareness exist within the confines of what we choose to focus on. Our attention frames our entire existence.
I love the concept that our entire universe is in our mind. So many philosophers and poets talk about it! We have this feeling that existence is external to us- that everything happens around us- we feel like we’re separate to those things. The truth is our mind sculpts our reality from the data- sounds, sights and sensations- and we experience a world shaped by what we have chosen to focus on. Everything we perceive is, ultimately, just our brains best guess at reality, filtered by where we place our attention.
Would you trade everything you own for more time with those you love? It seems the obvious answer is yes, but what about if you had no cognitive function? Without awareness, time becomes an empty vessel, hollow and devoid of meaning. Our attention allows us to focus on our loved ones, take in what they’re saying and communicate. As far as existential resources go, I’d say its value is up there with time.
Attention is our most precious resource. Knowing that you would expect we’d have a solid grasp on it but it is constantly being contested by forces outside of us, and even the tiniest thoughts within us! I’ve had countless experiences of my attention taking me out of my reality. Reading a book, I’ll get to the bottom of the page and realise i havnt read a single word. I can be having a conversation with someone and realise I’ve been thinking about something due at work the next day or much less “that dog has a funny face”. We also need to compete with the thing in our pocket. Our devices, whilst powerful, are also open portals for companies to mine our attention for profit, capturing more of it each year to meet the growing demand of its stakeholders.
As annoying as that is, it’s possible to train our attention. This in and of itself has become a multi-billion dollar industry(ironically the majority of the fixes also connect you to your phone in some way). While the modern world markets attention training, humanity has pursued presence for centuries – through religions, philosophy and quiet reflections.
“Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.” Buddha
Some other good quotes
“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts” – Marcus Aurelius
“Forever is composed of nows” – Emily Dickinson
“Realise deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle
“People are not disturbed by things, but the views they take of them.” – Epictetus
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” Thich Nhat Hanh
We think about attention as being the awareness of our existence across time, but our attention is now. And only now. It’s not a second ago, or a paragraph ago, it’s your sight on this word, right HERE right NOW. NOW. and NOW. Our attention is a singular moment, always and forever. And like a small flower that has bloomed in a field of grass, it should be guarded lest we unknowingly trample the most beautiful thing about our existence. Our awareness of our existence.
It’s so easy to think now is about tomorrow, or now is because of yesterday. Now is just now. And we can choose how this moment plays out. What’s a small choice you can make right now to bring more meaning to this moment?You can choose to smile right now for no reason. Light a candle. You may be sitting on the tram, in a cafe or at home with family. You can choose to compliment someone. You can smile at someone. Our entire life is made up of these moments of attention, small moments and big moments.
Your attention defines your choices.
Your choices shape your moments.
Your moments make your life.
Cameron Tayor 