Attention and Concentration

Do I have your attention? Attention can be defined as the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things.
William James, in his monumental Principles of Psychology (1890), remarked:“Everyone knows what attention is. It is the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought. Focalization, concentration, of consciousness are of its essence. It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others, and is a condition which has a real opposite in the confused, dazed, scatterbrained state which in French is called distraction, and Zerstreutheit in German.[2]”

I am sure you have noticed the word concentration in attention's definition. And if you look up concentration as a noun, attention is one of the words used in its description as well. Paying attention and concentration is a very important part of life. If one does no concentrate one cannot accomplish even the simplest daily tasks. These days we multitask on a daily basis. There are so many distractions coming at us and it affects our relationships as well as our studies and our work. We can't achieve what we want with our minds scattered in so many directions.

In regard to yoga, if you look at book II -32 in the Yoga Sutras it is stated "Tat Pratisedhartham Eka Tattvabhyasah". The translation is "The practice of concentration on a single subject [or the use of one technique] is the best way to prevent the obstacles and their accompaniments." Swami Satchidananda's commentary on this sutra asks "Why do you want to have this one-pointed concentration? To make the mind clear so you can transcend it." And so if we can make the mind clear the internal dialogue disappears and we can focus on what we are doing. Thus making life less hectic and more peaceful. So starting with some yoga postures and meditation we can practice concentration.