Attention & Awareness

One of the books I am currently reading is Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Living a Life That Matters by Bernard Glassman and Rick Fields. It’s a re-read for me, which is not typically a thing I do. Mostly I read books and pass them on. But I do hold on to certain ones I have a special affection for. And once in a great while I do re-read books all the way through.

In the passage I read this morning, there was a distinction made between attention and awareness, which inspired me to immediately press pause in my reading. I wanted time to allow the spirit behind the words to sink in, so as not to risk having what just resonated so deeply for me be buried and forgotten.

“Attention always brings us back to the present moment, to the details of any situation from moment to moment. Awareness, on the other hand, refers to a perception of the whole situation. Instead of paying attention to individual details, awareness takes a wider, more global perspective. Awareness is attention expanded to 360 degrees.” (page 63)

Gosh I just love this. I appreciate when gifted people can use words, whether written or spoken, to get right to the heart of a particular matter. When the complexities of our human nature can be distilled into relatively few and simple words. And I love when a teacher or speaker offers me a new lens to look through. The way in which the difference between attention and awareness was described just made so much sense to me, but I hadn’t thought about it specifically in that way before. I love when that happens!

The above teaching speaks to the benefits we receive from generating a balance between having a micro and macro view of what it means to be alive and human. To cultivate optimal wellness of mind, body, and spirit, the ability to toggle back and forth between focusing on our feet directly underneath us, and the direction in which we are headed on the path, is paramount.

When I apply this to our endeavors here at Empty Mountain, I think of the importance of being able to see both the forest and the trees (pun intended, ya know, cuz we live in the woods). To invest whole-heartedly in our moment to moment daily projects and activities, while also staying close to our visions for the future. And whilst attempting to blend both of those things, it’s a stellar good idea to keep in mind that everything - everything! - is of the nature to change.

It’s important to tend to the daily details of our life. It’s helpful to have short term and long term goals that we’re working towards. It’s also worth while to remember that many many things operate outside of our direct influence or control. Life has a way of tossing us obstacles and inconveniences and things we find terribly unpleasant. Life can also toss us new ideas and fresh approaches and creative solutions. So when it comes to changes taking place, they can be a bother or a boon depending. And, cuz things are often more complex than we like to think, sometimes change can involve both pros and cons.

I appreciate that Mike & I have a vision of where we see Empty Mountain going. I also really appreciate that we’re not in a big rush to get there, wherever “there” is. Ultimately what matters most is what we’re doing right here and now in the present moment. What happens tomorrow takes it cue from what we do today. And wonderfully, I think, it can be no other way.

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