The Secret to Total Attention and Being Mindful

How to Come Upon Total Attention

So we hear a lot about being mindful, being aware, paying attention, being in the now, etc., but what is the way to come upon this wonderful state of Total Attention, the state in which the mind and thoughts are no longer interfering with Reality and you can see the Truth of What Is directly.

Below is an excerpt from J. Krishnamurti on Attention and Awareness where he points out the way for the brain to be attentive and for understanding via direct perception.

J. Krishnamurti on Attention from The Awakening of Intelligence:

“This attention then comes about naturally, easily, when you know you are inattentive – right? When you are aware that you are inattentive, not giving attention, being aware of that fact is being attentive, and you have nothing else to do. Do you understand? Through negation you come to the positive, but not through the pursuit of the positive. When you do things without this action you do things in a state of inattention, and to be aware of action in a state of inattention, is attention. This makes the mind very subtle, makes the mind tremendously alert, because then there is no wastage of energy. Whereas the exercise of will is wastage of energy, just as concentration is.”

What Krishnamurti explains here is that true sensitivity is what breaks through dullness and mediocrity. And to be sensitive, you need attention—but not the rigid, forced kind. It’s not about concentration or trying hard. Real total attention happens when you stop trying, stop using willpower, and just become aware. When you realize you’re not paying attention—that very realization is attention.

So negation is the way to attention and mindfulness.  What is important is if you will try this?  And will you persist?  Do so and you will discover the Truth for yourself.