Elevate with Robert Glazer Elevate Classics: Dandapani on Learning To Focus and Avoid Distraction
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Nov 20, 2025 
Dandapani, a Hindu priest and former monk, shares his insights on focus and energy management. He discusses his unique journey from engineer to monk, the disciplined life at a Kauai monastery, and the importance of building high-quality relationships. Dandapani highlights the need to teach concentration and explains how distractions worsen our focus. He addresses social media's impact on loneliness, provides insights on setting boundaries with energy-draining individuals, and emphasizes the value of investing energy wisely in meaningful pursuits.
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Distraction Is A Practiced Skill
- People practice distraction many hours a day and thus become experts at it instead of concentration.
- To get good at focus you must intentionally practice controlling your awareness.
From Engineer To Monastery Life
- Dandapani left an electrical engineering career to join a cloistered Hindu monastery in Kauai for intensive study.
- He lived a disciplined daily schedule of rituals, meditation, work, and early rising for ten years.
Structure Your Day With Rituals
- Divide your day into defined practices and responsibilities to build discipline and clarity.
- Use simple tasks like cleaning, publishing, and scheduled rituals to train willpower and focus.