Attention is not concentration.
J. Krishnamurti spoke of this at some length. In his model, concentration creates a divide. It is focused and creates a barrier between the “concentrator” and the environment or surroundings. It is a “pushing away” of the rest of existence.
When we concentrate on just one thing, we cannot take in much else. Awareness is limited.
With “attention,” we may lose some detail, but, we have the next level of awareness, including attention of the surrounding environment, the room, the general “happenings” in the area.
This leads to open awareness. The noticing of all things. The completion of the task, while maintaining spatial awareness, emotional awareness, awareness of thought, and the broader fabric of the universe. As our “doings” decrease, we can establish a broader awareness more easily.
In a silence practice or meditation, we can suspend all doing. Open awareness (with practice) can increase enormously.
Also the familiarity of the tasks we pick up increases, we are able to challenge the current circle and move outwards.
Ultimately, to be aware is to be alive. To lock ourselves in a box and complete a task with concentration is not transferable. To maintain broad awareness as much as possible is ideal.
