Rapt by Winnifred Gallagher

In Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life by Winifred Gallagher the author describes the benefits of focused attention. As with many authors and safety professional she points to extensive research on the problems with multitasking and ability to concentrate.

She notes research that suggests focused attention through meditation helps people deal with the "full catastrophe of living."  All the unpleasant circumstances we encounter are part of life. We need to cope with it the best we can. This can be done by experiencing moments in our life without providing a running mental commentary. I've experienced this while walking on a path trying to hear the softest sound in the environment. Others can do this while appreciating a sunset or outdoor scenery.

Cognitive therapy helps mildly depressed people change their focus from quiet resignation to accomplishing incrementally greater acts of self care, like taking a shower or making breakfast. The progress continues on to looking at job postings and sending in job applications. It has also helped people deal with chronic pain. The transition from "I am a person in agony" to "there is this twinge in my neck that hurts" helps people focus more on the symptoms rather than defining the whole person.

She points to research that suggests the pleasures of daydreaming about nothing in particular has positive effects helping individuals to avoid bad decisions and improve relaxation.

Attention and the Focused Life - 49 minutes