Concentration and Focus

[Mindscape]

I have spent much time investigating the meaning of these two words but I have only reached the conclusion that I do not know. Perhaps you could share your thoughts.

[GilesC]

Hi Mindscape,

Ok, my understanding... without thinking too much about it...

Focus is placing awareness on a single point.
Concentration is maintaining focus over a period of time.

For example, we may place our focus on our breath, and with true concentration, our focus will remain on our breath... however, when the mind gets in there and starts playing with us, it starts throwing thoughts at us and knocking us off our focus, thus we lose concentration. In some subtle sense this may be that the mind has started to introduce thoughts about how deep or shallow the breath is, or how regular the breath is, and then our focus turns to these thoughts and we end up starting to try and force our breath to match the thoughts.... which isn't letting the breath happen naturally, and isn't simply being focused on (aware of) the breath.

That's just an example, you can apply the same to anything.

Hugs

Giles

[Mindscape]

Originally Posted by GilesC

Hi Mindscape,

Ok, my understanding... without thinking too much about it...

Focus is placing awareness on a single point.
Concentration is maintaining focus over a period of time.

For example, we may place our focus on our breath, and with true concentration, our focus will remain on our breath... however, when the mind gets in there and starts playing with us, it starts throwing thoughts at us and knocking us off our focus, thus we lose concentration. In some subtle sense this may be that the mind has started to introduce thoughts about how deep or shallow the breath is, or how regular the breath is, and then our focus turns to these thoughts and we end up starting to try and force our breath to match the thoughts.... which isn't letting the breath happen naturally, and isn't simply being focused on (aware of) the breath.

That's just an example, you can apply the same to anything.

Hugs

Giles

Firstly, thank you for your reply.

I often wonder whether focus is the placing of awareness or the awareness of where the mind places its attention at any particular moment and then concentration would be moving the focus onto the object and the constant effort to keep refocusing back to it when the awareness tells you that you've shifted the focus to another place.

[GilesC]

Interesting thoughts...

Perhaps meditate on the follow:

a) Conscious Awareness
b) Unconscious Awareness
c) One Awareness (a and b together)



Hugs

Giles