ESSESNTIAL CONVERSATIONS ... ATTENTION

In the middle of every difficulty

lies an opportunity.

Albert Einstein

During my transition into a new life, I have found creating a network of friends to be the most difficult.  So the other day I followed up on an opportunity my daughter found on line.  I attended an informal discussion entitled ESSENTIAL CONVERSATIONS at The Wisdom House.  The goal was to explore the many definitions of the word attention and how the meanings were used in our daily spiritual lives.

Sitting in a circle with strangers, it became obvious that although a variety of spiritual beliefs and practices were represented, and differing words and phrases were used, there was a sense of 'being on the same page'.  We were all different, but in some aspects, the same.

The word attention was understood by some in a mental way, while others thought of it in a physical way, and then there were those who sensed it in a spiritual way.  Grouping everything together, we found the word to be fully defined.

For your enjoyment, here are some of the responses.

Attention is:

• an experience within
• a mental focus
• a way of being
• eye contact, connecting
• oneness, bonding
• mindfulness
• ability to be present in a spiritual and secular way
• results in thanksgiving and joy
• attendance and tending to children
• garden tending
• energy in nature
• meditation
• being fully present
• not all pretty moments
• in pain, remove ego to attain awareness
• making a difference
• witness

My favorite comment was:  If we strike a singing bowl, each of us will hear a different sound.  This is so true about most everything we experience. 

A suggestion was made to do a self-inquiry.  Notice your thought, trace it back to the original thought and then ask, "Who or what is thinking that?" 

This exercise helps us to realize that much of what we think is not original thought.  We can trace much of what we say or think back to ego or to what some one else said or did.  By doing this, we become aware that our authentic self is quietly behind conversation or thoughts, almost like a back drop ... being silent, but paying attention!