Image by Jared
Life has it’s rhythms. There are many of these at all the levels of our lives. For instance:
Physically, rest and activity
Emotionally, attraction and repulsion
Intellectually, analysis and design
Spiritually, support and expression
Socially, engagement and withdrawl.
The one I would like to talk about is the focus and relaxation of our attention.
Often it is focus that is valued – it is an energised state and gets our attention more easily. It is also seen to be more useful and productive (though I’m not sure this is always so). It is intentional and more likely to help us move toward our goals and achievements. I would also like to point out that it has the drawback of leading to being tunnel visioned and not a whole lot of fun.
By the relaxation of our attention I mean the state of just looking around. It is not highly energised and so we can miss it and the important role it can have in our lives. It can be vague and just letting our attention wander: thinking about this and that, not staying long with any one thing. What does this relaxation of attention do for us? It lets us see the context of what we are focused on.
It is healthy I think to have an alternation of relaxed and focused attention. We look around and see what’s what before we focus on what we need. If we don’t look around we can get fixated on the one thing. Imagine that you felt like you needed a partner but didn’t stop to see who was around or take time to see what they were like. Perhaps this is unlikely. More commonly we grab the nearest thing to eat. Once we know the situation then it is very helpful to have a focus – there are lots of things to be sorted out in having a partner and not bothering about them may not be the wisest thing, once we know what we’d like to eat we are more likely to enjoy our meal (and perhaps have a healthier diet too).
I think it is worthwhile to think about when we need to focus and relax our attention. Here are a couple of times when I have observed them to be helpful.
Times when relaxation of attention is valuable.
* When stuck with a problem or dilemma so that I’m getting a bit obsessive about it (OK, sometimes very obsessive) it is useful to take a break.
* When I feel I am stuck in an argument with someone. It may be useful to look at the bigger picture of our relationship or the situation that the argument occurs in.
When focus is valuable.
* When I feel vaguely discontented. It can be useful to focus on my bodily sensations, or thoughts I am having.
* When I feel that there’s so much to do that I don’t even know the things I need to do, writing a list (and then perhaps ordering it) I find very helpful.
How do you feel about this alternation in your life? Where do you feel a softer or more intense focus would benefit you? Let me know in the comments.
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The best thing for relaxation these days is Conscious Sleep, popularly known as ‘Yoga Nidra’, our family doctor recommend this cd of yoga nidra to us, and after doing it just for single night, I was feeling very calm, ecstatic and energetic, really it’s a boon to humanity, one must try this once in his life…
http://www.yogawonders.com
Hi Evan,
I think that the idea of dynamic balance is important. Sometimes it is good to be focused, other times relaxed. Being aware and in control of oneself to know when to shift gears into another mode of being is the key skill to learn. If you get trapped into a pattern of always being focused, or always being too chilled out then you will not reach your goals or live life in a centered way.
Thanks for the great comments over on Rebel Zen
Steve
Hi Evan,
I think focus for me is valuable when I am seeing too much of the big picture. When I’ve gotten myself into that state, there is often too much to choose from, too much to take in, a situation of overwhelm develops.
I think relaxation I sometimes confuse with my body’s need for sleep. Sleep is really a letting go. Relaxation requires attention, conscious decision allowing oneself to have that time, just as you indicated in the post.
Forgetting that periods of relaxation is what gives me my ability to focus and conversely after focusing, the coming down period with some relaxation creates what I need for the next thing I’d want to focus on. The full circle of these two states that facilitates continuity, one renewing and supporting the other.
It seems you can’t really have one without the other, can you?
Hi Rose,
I’ve never tried yoga nidra. It sounds like something wonderful to help with sleep though. I think we still don’t appreciate how important sleep is for our health.
Thanks for your comment.
Hi Steve,
I think ‘dynamic balance’ captures it well.
I’m enjoying Rebel Zen.
Thanks for the comment.
Hi Barbara,
I don’t think we can have one without the other. I think we either end up manic and obsessive or immobilised and out of touch. Does this match what you are talking about?
Thanks for the comment.
Yes, Evan, it does match.
I’ve experienced mania, obsessesion, immobility, self-isolation and various levels of confusion/delusion without the balance of these two states. The more imbalance, the more substitution of dsyfunction.
Relaxation and focus could very well be the real secrets to a healthy and happy life. With all the stresses of daily life, many, if not all of us do not have the chance to just sit, relax and focus on a beautiful sunset.
Hi Propecia,
You may well be right.
Thanks for your comment.