Focused Attention

How the term is used

The object may be breath, sound, a mantra, a candle flame, a sensation, or another point of focus.

Why it matters

It helps explain the difference between deliberately concentrating and simply noticing whatever arises.

Related terms

• Meditation Anchor

  The object or experience a person intentionally returns attention to during meditation.

• Dharana

  The sixth limb of Patanjali's Eight Limbs, referring to concentration or sustained attention on a chosen object or point.

• Open Awareness

  A meditation approach in which attention is not restricted to one object but remains receptive to changing thoughts, sensations, sounds,…

• Attention

  The selective direction of mental focus toward particular information, sensations, tasks, or experiences.

• Intention

  A consciously chosen aim, direction, or quality a person brings to a practice or action.

• Meditation

  A broad family of practices that intentionally train attention, awareness, concentration, or a particular mental quality.

• Guided Meditation

  A meditation in which a teacher or recording provides verbal instructions throughout part or all of the practice.

• Breath Awareness

  The practice of noticing the breath as it naturally occurs without necessarily trying to control it.