ExerciSe 4 : ATTENTION And the senses

 

We can use all our senses to exercise our attention. We would be surprised at the number of sensations we do not even feel, simply because we do not take the time to give them our attention. This sort of stimulation needs no more than a moment’s attention !

For a whole day, indulge yourself by being aware of what your senses perceive, or, if you prefer, for a few minutes every day. Eventually you will become used to perceiving things that are now passing unnoticed in your life.

Chose whichever sense you like, and give it the opportunity to be the focus of your attention :

• Sight
• Hearing
• Smell
• Taste
• Touch

 

 

Sight



Cast your eyes over a landscape, a place that you like. Observe it in detail. At the same time, be aware of the feeling of pleasure, the memories that it arouses. It is always present, but we have so little time for these parts of ourselves that are constantly being masked by our day-to-day activities.

Seeing is the first stage. For retention, a second stage is needed, using our attention.

 

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Hearing



Now listen not only to this familiar piece of music, but also to the ordinary noises around us: in your apartment, in the street, in the market, in the car you drive every day.

Listening attentively is only the first step… We have then to remind ourselves of what we want to remember.

 

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Smell



Breathe in the perfumes – in your house, the flowers on the table or in the garden. Enjoy the pleasant smells around you. Don’t neglect the smell of the dish you are putting on the table.

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Taste

 

Taste by giving all your attention to this little cake that you are eating, quietly savour the spicy smell.

 

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A baby’s sensory perception begins with its hands. Throughout our lives the hand is the most important medium for our senses. We should not become used to neglecting our hands and our bodies.

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