In this podcast, Sam discusses the power of focus and how to avoid distractions. She shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for developing concentration in everyday life, highlighting the value of mindfulness and the impact of digital distractions.
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Quick takeaways
Concentration is a valuable resource, and by intentionally avoiding distractions, we can cultivate peace.
Practicing open awareness and focused attention meditation can enhance concentration and attentional flexibility.
Deep dives
The Power of Concentration
Concentration is a valuable resource that can help us feel collected and calm. By being intentional about sharing it and avoiding distractions, we can cultivate peace. Two types of meditation, open awareness and focused attention, can aid in developing concentration. Open awareness meditation strengthens our inner observer and distress tolerance by letting go of resistance and accepting things as they are. Focused attention meditation involves choosing an anchor, like sounds or body sensations, and gently guiding our attention back to it when it drifts away. Practicing these meditations can enhance concentration and attentional flexibility.
Developing Concentration
To develop concentration, it is important to be intentional about where we place our attention. Removing unnecessary distractions, such as social media apps, and focusing on purposeful activities can help. Finding a consistent practice that works for us, like walking meditation or listening to an audiobook, can also aid concentration. Each time we bring our attention back, we can acknowledge it as a moment of mindfulness and strengthen our concentration muscle. Building concentration can significantly improve our ability to sustain attention on others and be present in the moment.
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The Power of Concentration and Cultivating Mindfulness
Sam's back for day 6 of the Eightfold Path. Today's teaching is all about the power of focus, and why we don't have to give in to distractions.
Sam has taught mindfulness and social emotional learning to teens, families and adults all over the world for more than 12 years. She obtained her master’s degrees in clinical and educational psychology from Columbia University, and an M.S. in emotion science from Mid-Sweden University. You can reach out to Sam on Instagram here!