Attention is
very different from what is usually called concentration. Concentration is
usually associated with a state of over-tension manifested by a furrowed
brow and interference with breathing, almost as though one were trying to
hold everything in place so as to be able to focus totally on a certain
aspect of one's surroundings.
(Michael Gelb)
Distraction
Concentration is the act of focussing. It is a narrowing of
perspective.
Extraneous distractions are blocked out and the attention is directed towards a
limited target.
Keeping your mind on what you are doing is excellent. It improves quality.
Sometimes, it is good to be distracted, to notice unexpected possibilities, to
wander off in new directions.
However, there is a danger with distraction: the more distracted you become, the
less competent you are.
Anxiety
Sometimes when students are performing drills or
form you
can see a battle being waged within.
They are seeking to
will their way to
skill.
Faces are contorted, the jaw is set, the eyes narrowed. Often people look
quite
troubled.
Why? What is the point? Who is it that
you are trying to will? Surely it is
you. But then you are you.
Can you not see the sheer folly of
this? Who is doing the willing?
This is the wrong kind of concentration.
Rather than be anxious, be calm. Rather than try so hard, relax and
allow. Tai chi is not about forcing.
If it works, it works. If it does not it does not. Getting
uptight will not
change anything for the better.
Focus
Focussing is necessary when striking somebody. You need to hit the body, and you
need to be accurate.
Striking needs to be accurate. You need to concentrate your power.
However, you do not want to focus your gaze or reduce your
awareness.
In combat, if you shut out general stimuli and focus exclusively on one thing,
you expose yourself.
Your awareness cannot narrow. You cannot focus your attention. You must remain
in the moment.
The instant you switch from wide perspective to narrow, you will cease to see
what is going on around you.
And you will be hit.
You must be able to deliver a concentrated strike without diminishing your
expanded state of consciousness.
Juggling
Focussing can cause anxiety. You address one concern and ignore another.
The more concerns you have, the harder it is to address them all skilfully.
This approach is like juggling.
Instead of going with the flow and
feeling what is happening, you are trying desperately to catch one ball whilst
keeping all the others still up in the air.
What is the answer?
There is no fixed answer.
Sometimes it is beneficial to look at the individual details and address them in
depth.
At other times, you must consider the overall event and feel the essence of what
is happening, the flow.
Essence
Students need to feel the overall
nature of what they are doing and address the essence.
Once the essence has been understood, the lesser details will make more sense.
The practice will fall into place once the body is allowed to move
naturally and comfortably.
You cannot practice tai chi with the
rational mind.
The most difficult thing for beginning students is that they try to make the
movements with their minds and they cannot.
The movements are too complicated.
The flowing of the hands, the correct timing, the bending of the knees,
the breathing, the balance;
all this cannot be controlled by the mind.
The pianist cannot think of each note as she plays it, it must simply be
there.
Just leave the body alone.
When we do not interfere with it, the body moves with the tao spontaneously.
(John Lash)
Learning
Concentration is a flexible skill, and there are different kinds of
concentration:
Presence
Your mind must be wholly placed upon the activity.
You need to feel the movement, and what is happening in your mind and
body.
A condition of meditation will emerge.
Economy
Your time is limited. Spend it wisely. Limit your options and train the
essentials.
Refinement, understanding and depth emerge when you have fewer concerns.
Focus
Train a specific detail. Improve an isolated skill.
Avoid spreading yourself thinly.
The more topics you address, the less you know about each of them.
Essence
Establish the purpose of an activity and place your attention upon
that concern.
The fine details make more sense in the context of the essence.
No distraction
In order to learn a tai chi movement, you must train it without
distraction.
Page created 16 June 2001