Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00173)

July 12 2004

 

Dear Friend:

 

See if this does not answer some of your comments:

 

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THE FUNCTION OF ATTENTION IN

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

 

True study of any branch of knowledge consists in giving the matter of that
branch such repetitions of attentive consideration that it at length becomes
an integral part of the domain of the consciousness, and can at any time,
under any correlated stimulus, be made use of by automatic mental action.

 

True Study of an Art consists, primarily in the attentive repetitions of the
action of the physiological organs, involved in the productions of that Art,
until that action becomes automatic, and is as well and so naturally
performed as any original reflex physiological function.

 

In these definitions the word qualifying the necessary processes is the
adjective attentive, denoting the presence of attention in the operation.
Without this word the definitions would not merely be imperfect, they would
be essentially incorrect and misleading. Only in the quality of being
attentive can the reiterated consideration and the reiterated action,
respectively, result in the possession, on the one hand, of a new realm of
knowledge, or, on the other hand, of a new area of power.

 

What is the nature and manner of expression of this supreme quality
Attention?

 

An appreciative intellectual grasp of the answer to this question and a
realisation of the function of its subject in the processes of human
personal evolution, should be recognised as fundamental elements in the
knowledge and understanding of the true educationist, be he teacher or not.

 

The word Attention is used largely, but loosely, in educational employments,
yet we have no other word with which, habitually, to express that attitude
of the consciousness which, in any study or acquisition of power, is
absolutely and continuously demanded, in order to ensure intrinsic results.
The term concentration is more literally correct in this relation, but
concentration has, with most persons, too limited and too special an
application to render it available for ordinary use instead of Attention.

 

Yet the Attention we are discussing, the attention of all
knowledge-acquiring processes, may perhaps be better understood and realized
if it is regarded as Concentrated Attention.

 

Attention is that condition or attitude of consciousness in which its rays
are steadily and unintermittently centred upon the thing being done or the
subject of study. This may be presented to the consciousness by one or more
of the special senses, or it may already be a content of the mind; the
special element in the attitude being the intentness with which the
consciousness operates. This intentness of gaze must proceed to such a
degree that all other sensible or mental objects, except the one, become
excluded from its range.

 

In the effort to do this to maintain concentrated attention, the Will of the
individual is brought into play, and its function in the process may be
compared to that played by a burning-glass held between the sun and the
surface of an object. If it is intended that the sun's rays shall produce,
through the burning-glass, a definite and observable effect, the glass must
be held in such a relation to the object that the rays of light converge
upon one spot. 

 

This spot, or focus, then receives the whole force of the rays that pass
through the glass; it alone, of all that surrounding surface, is brought out
into relief and operated upon. In like manner the Will, in sustaining
attention, focuses the rays of the consciousness, with all their inherent
dynamic forces, upon one circumscribed area, physiological, mental, or
moral, as the case may be, wherein lies the work to be done.

 

Thus we see that Attention is intentness of Mental Vision, concentrated and
maintained by action of the Will. It is not a separate function or property
of the mind, like perception, imagination, reason, &c., as some
psychologists might lead us to suppose, but a mode of action,-the true mode
of the Will's action. In other words it is the definite, efficient
expression of the Volition or Will force of the individual.

 

The functions perception, conception, imagination, &c., are instruments of
the Ego for operating upon the phenomenal world and upon mental
appropriations of that world; when one or more of these thus operates with
all its force, undiverted from its employment by any surrounding object,
then Attention is exhibited.

 

Will is the manifestation or action of the real human Ego; Attention
designates the mode in which that manifestation is functionally exhibited,
and by which alone permanent results are produced.

 

In relation to the psychological realm in which Attention is a feature, we
may formulate the following scheme. This scheme may serve to make the
general bearings of the subject clearer and to more definitely indicate the
part played by Attention in all psycho logical phenomena.

 

The source of mental movement arises in Emotion = the desire
to know.

 

The direction of the movement lies with Reason = how and
what to know.

 

The machinery of the movement is provided by The mental = the means by
which
activities the knowledge is (Perception,
etc.) gained.

 

The maintaining force of the movement resides in the Will = the modeby

(the Energy which continuity of the
Ego.) operation is ensured.

 

 

The efficient relation of the two last groups of factors to each other, and
their joint relation to the object under study, are expressed by our term
Attention. The Will holds the mental activities employed rigidly and
persistently to their work.

 

The Ego, through Volition, can only establish relations with objects
external to itself through the mental activities, Perception, Conception,
Judgment, Imagination, &c., and to effect this, the latter must be
maintained in operation in a direct line between the Ego, represented by
Volition, and the object to be studied; just as the gun of the sportsman
must be held with exact precision longitudinally between his eye and the
object he desires to hit. If the gun be allowed to deviate in the least
degree from the exact line of vision, the sportsman misses his object, so,
also, if Perception, or Conception, or Judgment, or Imagination, whichever
of these activities or faculties is in use, is permitted to lose its direct
bearing upon the work in hand absolute failure of purpose ensues. In this
illustration the steady maintenance of the gun in precise position is a
parallel to the psychological action of Attention.

 

When we grasp the full bearing of the truths here pointed out, we cannot
fail to perceive the significant relation which the mental attitude of
Attention holds to all educational processes and employments, nor can we
assign it too prominent a position in laying down true and efficient methods
of culture. Let Volition, the Mental Activities, the Light of Reason, the
Physiological System of nerves and muscles, and vast mines of possible
knowledge, all be provided; what intrinsic and permanent result can be
accomplished amongst them if the manner in which they are used does not
include Attention?

 

Modern Education fails, as evident to all thoughtful observers of human
life, very largely because of its neglect to maintain this essential factor
of personal evolution in its due place. The desultoriness, aimlessness and
mental commonplaceness of the general adult life around us, spring from this
omission.

 

Modern Education, in its multitude of subjects, in its haste in passing from
one subject to another, and in its lack of precise aim, exhibits
desultoriness in employment of time and faculty.

 

Desultoriness is the antithesis of Systematic Attention.

 

Modern Education rules over an area from which nothing new arises as the
fruit of its fostering care, it brings no new thing into being from out its
world of chaos.

 

This results from its desultoriness of method and action.

 

The Human Will is, however, a natural creator when it operates through
Concentrated Attention, but education fails in its true mission as a
stimulus and guide to individual creative force, because of this
unreasonable neglect of a fundamental principle.

 

Every area of acquired skill is a new creation; it has a real, patent
existence and is an object of possession and use in the world of human life,
which did not exist previous to its evolution by the personal Will operating
through the mental activities upon a physiological chaos.

 

To prevent possible confusion of thought in tracing out the subject, it may
be remarked here that there is a mental attitude to which the term,
Attention is commonly applied. This may be termed Passive Attention. 

 

Passive Attention rules the consciousness when one listens to an eloquent
speech or interesting lecture.

 

In such instances the Will is in abeyance, the consciousness being probably
held entranced by forces which the Occultist might term Mantramic.

 

Passive attention also rules when the mind follows an absorbing train of
thought. But this form is not that demanded for personal growth;
educationally it is of slight value and without necessary relation to our
subject.

 

Attention plays its necessary part in each one of the realms or planes of
life to which the human individual belongs:-

 

1. On the physical plane;-in the physiological realm of the special
senses and the nervous and muscular systems. Conscious action under its rule
in this realm results in skill, the basis not only of all art and artistic
performance, but of every nicely adapted movement of the human limbs and
frame for practical purpose or for the display of agility and gracefulness.

 

2. On the mental plane;-in the psychological realm of concepts,
comparisons, judgments, deductions, speculations and ideals. On this plane
intellectual energy under the control of Attention, creates logical
systematic and consecutive forms of thought, true panoramic fields of vision
out of detached intellectual details, and new emotional forms of power and
beauty.

 

3. On the moral plane;-in the spiritual realm of supreme truths,
vital principles, gropings after the Infinite, the laws of human
relationships, and the application of all these to the entire conduct of the
personal life. In this supreme area the moral sentiments and spiritual
aspirations after perfection of life, concentrate their attention upon
definite details of personal thought and behaviour, the production of grace
of spirit, reliability of disposition, agreement of conduct with principle,
altruism in all its effective forms, and the development of a personal
influence ever tending towards the evolution of a vitalizing social harmony.

 

In the evolution of personal life, when the object of its action is an area
or detail of any one of these realms, Attention may be termed specific, and
when the control of the adopted purpose of existence as a whole is
maintained through its means, establishing an efficient and well-ordered
unity amongst the many divisions and details of that purpose, then we may
designate Attention as supreme.

 

"Genius" has been defined as "an infinite capacity for taking pains." The
expression "taking pains" is merely a synonym for "close attention to minute
details." "Close attention to details" takes each brick of which the
"mansion for all lovely forms,"-the structure of personal knowledge,
capacity and ability, is to be built, and carefully places it in its due
position, cementing it there at once. The structure so put together is
substantial, capacious, beautiful, and efficient.

 

This structure, the result of infinite pains long continued, is that which
the world wonders at and worships and calls Genius. Nearly all men, if first
guided and supported along the toilsome track and afterwards urged along it
by pressure of their own Wills, might develop some form of power and skill
which would elevate them considerably towards that height from which Genius
looks down, and thus render the ordinary world much less commonplace,
monotonous and unskillful than it is at present. To sum up:-

 

Concentrated Attention is the expression of the Will, and Will is the
central, animating force proceeding from the Ego. Will, operating under the
condition of Attention upon the chaos of its attendant world, and
co-ordinating the energies, forces and movements of that world, converts it
into a realm of form, power, and purpose, centering around the Ego.

 

This constitutes Personal Evolution resulting at length in a perfected
Individuality, the creation of its own Will.

 

-I.

 

LUCIFER, November, 1888

 

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(From THEOS. ARTICLES & NOTES p. 153.)

 

 

Best wishes,

 

Dallas

 

=================

 

-----Original Message-----


From: Zakk 
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 9:34 AM
To: 
Subject Feeling & Emotion Part I & II

 

 

Reaction and Response : These two terms are closely related in meaning.
In this perspective, a difference 
in meaning is presented. Reaction is karma based. Response is not. If an
action is taken due to the influence
of an action given, it is a reaction. If an action is taken is due to a
choice made without the influence of an 
action given, it is a response. A reaction is related to the human mind, the
mind that has immersed itself,
and associates itself, with matter. A reaction is often automatic. It can be
done without thought. One type of
reaction is founded on emotions. When an event occurs, one can be
automatically angry, sad, elated, hurt,
worried, exited, etc. Reactions may be caused through the training and
expectations of others as one 
grows from infancy. In a given situation, one is "expected" to react in a
certain manner. Another example
of reaction is when one takes an action due to outside (outer) influence. A
response would be not due to training
or expectations or outer influence, but due to a personal choice made from
within, based on what one views
as that which is proper and right in the course of action to be taken. This
is often determined by one's
conscience, knowledge, logic, and intuition. The components of decision are
all inner based, with no influence
from "without". 

 

Basic definitions as defined by the presented perspective :
Reaction : Action returned due to an action initiated (karma based)
Response : Action initiated due to an observation (intelligence based)

 

Reaction and Response in regards to Will : Free Will is an inherent
component that exists within all human
beings. The possession of Free Will does not necessitate a Will being Free.
A Will may be Bonded. That which
is Bonded is not Free. One may utilize Free Will in the choice to be Bonded.
A Will that is Bonded is referenced
as a Bonded Will to signify a subtle difference between the two. Underlying
a Bonded Will exists Free Will. 
The Free Will never "leaves" but instead is not applied due to the chosen
Bonded Will. Bonded Will is part
of Free Will, but is not wholely Free Will in and of itself. It is a self
imposed restriction of Free Will, limiting
the usage of the total Free Will within the individual. 
Bonded & Free Will : Bonded Will is related to the human mind, the mind
that has immersed itself, and 
associates itself, with matter. In the immersion, a bonding with matter
takes place. [It has been said that one 
is enslaved by matter. The term is not applied here due to the negative
connotations that can be taken by it's
usage. "Enslaved" implies no choice, and is often taken that way. The term
"Bonded" denotes a positive aspect 
in comparison. One bonds by choice and unbonds by choice, there is no
"releasement" required. Self chooses.]
Will directs. It can direct action / the movement on the path being
"walked". When one bonds itself with
matter, the Bonded Will follows the action of matter, the "law" of matter.
In following the law of matter,
reaction takes place. One is bonded with the "physical law" of karma. One
uses not the Free Will to operate
outside of it. Example : A deep cut occurs on the arm of an individual. The
arm bleeds. A reaction of 
"physical law". A Bonded Will can not stop the bleeding. It follows the
reaction of the physical law.
Free Will, which operates on it's own accord, may choose not to bleed and
not follow that physical law of
reaction. Free Will is not bonded to matter and the laws of it's operation.
Free Will is a "freeing agent"
of the bond to matter. In order for Will to be bonded to matter, a mode of
bonding is necessary, a process
of bonding. Also, a mode to hold that bond. A bond is a form of attachment.
A mode of bonding exists
through emotions. Whether the emotions be of a positive nature, or negative,
does not matter in the fact
that it is a bonding. When one initiates an act, whether in thought or deed,
through / by the mode of
emotion, it is an act of bonding. The binding, or attaching, is to the
physical / matter. The more this is
done, the more one exerises the Bonded Will. An example : If an individual
has become angered, and lashes
out, the individual may reply that there was "no choice" or "acted
automatically, without thinking". The action
was a Reaction. It was choosen, intiated, and guided by an emotion,
therefore not by Free Will, but the 
Will bonded to / by the emotion. Will that is "free" from the influence is
Free Will, Will that is "bonded" to the 
influence is Bonded Will. A Response, an action taken free from influence,
is an act of Free Will. 
An action taken based on the influence of emotion, is karma based, for it is
a Reaction and performed by
Bonded Will. An action taken without the influence of emotion, is not karma
based, for it is a Response
and performed by Free Will. Another phrasing : An action taken with the
influence of emotion intiates 
karma, for it is karma based. An action taken without the influence of
emotion does not intiate karma,
for it is not karma based. It is the exerising of the Free Will that
"frees". It frees one from karma and
the bonding,, or attachment, to the physical. The more one exerises Free
Will, rather than Bonded Will,
the more one is freed from karma and the physical. 
Love & Hate : These are two emotions at "opposite ends of the pole". They
are also the two extremes.
Being as they are the extremes, they both "reflect" Compassion more wholely
than the other emotions.
Love, in the extreme, is an emotion that is the same and equal throughout
the all. Hate, in the extreme,
is an emotion that is the same and equal throughout the all. The key phrase
is "the same and equal
throughout the all". Compassion is a "feeling", the same and equal
throughout the all. Compassion is
not an emotion, it is neither Love nor Hate, or any other emotion. All
emotion lies within it. Love and 
Hate reflect the meaning or definition of Compassion in that it is the same
and equal throughout
the all. Love and Hate bond. Compassion does not. Compassion frees. An act
of Compassion is
an act of Free Will. In the respect that Bonded Will acts through emotion,
Free Will acts through
Compassion.
"Let God's Will be done." : This is a phrase or saying that many
recognize and use. Sometimes
Universal Will is also used. The meaning taken by this phrase is often taken
as a transpiring of an
event or act. In the presented perspective, God's Will is not an event or
act. God's Will is free of
the bonding / influence of matter / the physical. It is free of the
emotional attachment. The phrase 
"Let God's Will be done" holds a deeper meaning than the usual
interpretation in which humankind, 
as a whole, presently perceives. It is the Will of "Righteouness",
unfettered by prejudice or influence,
enacted through Compassion. God's Will is Free Will. "Let God's Will be
done" can also be phrased as 
"Let Free Will be done".