Regathering Attention, Awakening Awareness

Monday evening, as the holidays drew to a close, I finally opened my inbox to explore the waiting gems from my contemplative teachers. I had intended to savor the end-of-year wisdom all week, making notes in my journal and reflecting over a cup of tea. At about 8p, I finally found (made) space to read one of the seven saved messages.

What happened to my time, I wondered. Yes, holiday obligations, cooking, dog barking, partner connecting, regular life doing. And also, TOO MUCH MULTI-TASKING. Responding to pings, lost in thought, pleasing others, social media, anxiety cleaning, news distracting, media consuming–distracted, distracted, distracted. The truth landed as I listened to Sam Harris’s New Year audio message: we are afflicted by an epidemic of fractured attention. 

Big year-end revelation–I am not immune. I need an intervention. A core teaching of Swami Kripalu came to mind–Where attention goes, energy flows. The question is, where is our energy flowing? 

An antidote to fractured attention in a fast-moving, digital age lies in our practice. The centerpiece of yoga and meditation is the practice of being fully present in the now. In Kripalu Yoga, we gather and focus attention by watching our breath, tuning to sensation, and noticing what arises. This presence, the bloom of expanding awareness, is harnessed and directed inward, pointing to inner quiet and expanded consciousness. Awareness, attunement, and loving compassion arise from this awakening awareness, lessening the pull of the world’s allure. Our connection to ourselves and the here and now grows stronger.

Another key point of Harris’s message stayed with me. Challenging times of global crises tend to magnify fractured attention. Though we may feel powerless, our voices muted, we can work on learning our own minds. Using mindfulness, we can bring understanding to our thoughts and mind habits, thereby improving our attention, self-awareness, and the depth of our connection with loved ones. Though this may feel small, knowing our minds offers a step toward inner peace for ourselves, which enriches our relationships with everyone around us.

As the truth of this message landed, I sat silently, a new journal in hand, witnessing my private thoughts and emotions. Here’s to reclaiming a life of attention and presence, with compassion for ourselves and others, one practice at a time. 

-Jai, Susan

Listen to A New Year’s Message, from Sam Harris on Waking Up:  https://dynamic.wakingup.com/course/COFEBAA?source=content%20share&share_id=32FAB476&code=SCDD4261E

About The Author

Susan Mathis, M.Ed., E-RYT 500, RCYT, YACEP

Susan is deeply committed to the practice of yoga, pranayama, and conscious living. A Professional Level, Kripalu Yoga Teacher, she offers steady guidance, practical knowledge and infuses the deep wisdom of yoga philosophy into her teaching. A lover of the natural world, adventure, and travel, Susan engages with nature through hiking, biking, and scuba diving. She is the owner and director of alleyCat Yoga and Yoga to Grow.