Achieving Focus

Achieving focus means directing your energy to a defined purpose. This is something well understood by Zen monks and martial arts experts. In his article “The Power and Techniques of Focusing,” Aikido sensei Hoa Newens writes, “We can see because light rays focus in a specific way inside our eyes. If these light rays are out of focus we do not see well. You can lift an object with your arm because you direct your energy into the motion of grabbing and lifting. Anything that interrupts your focus, such as a startling noise, may cause you to drop the object. You can converse meaningfully with someone at a party full of people because you focus your attention on what your interlocutor says. If an old friend passes by and catches your attention, then you may lose your focus and the thread of the conversation. In fact, we generally see only what we focus on, we hear only what we focus on, we feel only what we focus on, we smell only what we focus on and we taste only what we focus on. It can be said we live the life pattern that we focus on.”

Excerpt from 'LifeManual' by Peter H. Thomas. www.lifemanual.com. Copyright 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.

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