In addition to body literacy and awareness of the nervous system, self-compassion and compassion for others are supported by emotional literacy and an understanding of how our minds work. In order to engage in compassion for self and others, we need to be able to observe our minds and our experiences carefully and with close attention. Attention training has numerous benefits for students. It facilitates concentration, learning, and the retention of information. It allows one to better control one’s impulses and direct their attention when and where it is needed. Attention training calms the body and mind in ways that promote physical and psychological health. The expectation to pay attention is perhaps the first that students encounter upon entering school, yet they have rarely been taught the methods by which they can train and cultivate stronger attention skills. In SEE Learning®, attention is not cultivated through force of will, but by repeatedly and respectfully cultivating opportunities for practice, just like any other skill.
Students generally do not have trouble paying close attention to things they find interesting. The problem is paying attention when things are less stimulating or when there are distractions. Chapter 3 takes a multi pronged approach to attention training. First, it introduces the idea of attention training and its potential benefits. Second, it shows students that when we pay attention to things, we may find them more interesting than we initially thought. Third, it introduces attention exercises that are engaging and accessible. Lastly, it introduces attention training with objects of attention that are more neutral and less stimulating, like the simple act of walking or paying attention to one’s breath. Throughout, students are invited to notice what happens to their minds and bodies when they are able to pay attention with calmness, stability, and clarity.