The Coolidge examiner., 1938-09-01
.41la Out
FOR THOUGHT
Syndicated by The Rosicruciars
AMORC. San Jose. california

AMORC San Jose. California
Just what is attention? Various
schools of psychology have defined
it differently, but one of the Oldest
definitions, as quoted by William
James. was: Attention is the pow
er Of the mind to concentrate" In
other words. the individual who can
focus his entire attention upon the
task at hand gains the ability to
concentrate perfectly: and this is
one of the important tools in
building a satisfactory life.
Attention may be either passive
or active. Passive attention might
be classed as day-dreaming or un-
controlled imagination, while ac-
tive attention is self-determined-
you take the initiative in beginn-
ing and ending the process. 1t is
the active, or voluntary. form Of
attention which is used in concen-
tration. and the more spontaneous
your attention is, the more easily
your mind is held in this active
state.
BY using interest" as the key,
it is possible to acquire this spon-
taneity. For example. when you are
engrossed in a hobby your atten-
tion is spontaneous, it continues
because of interest, and without
apparent effort The process Of
concentration is not difficult, for it
requires no effort to give attention
to something that is interesting. At
times your whole mind is devoted
to a pleasant experience, thought
or anticipation, and if you ana.yze
such state of mind you find that
your concentration is perfect un-
der such conditions. BY carrying
over to other subjects this same
mental attitude-this same state Of
spontaneous attention-you can
learn to concentrate upon import
ant subjects just as you have up
on pleasant, but less vital matters.
Fathomless, mysterious ocean,
full of revelation and threats; who
can sit at thy bosom and contem-
plate thy ceaseless action without
being stimulated to thought adv
entures?
Nan has reapsd untold benefits
by the harnessiHg of the mighty
forces of nature, which are meant
to be utilized by him. But it can
be done successfully only in com
pliance with the laws of nature.
Are we not living in an ocean
OF turbulance at all times, seeing
the waves rolling by: delightful at
times. threatening always? There
is much to be learned of life and
its laws if one would be able TO
make some headway or oc-
casionally float in content safely.
One certainly has to know the prlh-
ciples of life in order TO know
when to utilize an oncoming wave
constructively and when to avoid
being in the way Of destructive
forces. Whether one jumps or
dives. or resorts to a more original
method of escape is all matter OF
personal skill and knowledge. Only
the foolhardy or uninstructed Will
trv to oppose established laws OF
nature: while skillful adjustment
proves accumulated wisdom, ana
assures more pleasant experience
Life becomes very interesting
when one senses the purpose OF II
and then makes an earnest effort
TO learn to cope with it intelligent
Nv. One may just paddle at the edge
of it without ever learning the JOY
OF entering into it deeply; or one
may learn gradually but persistent
" how TO strike out boldly and
courageously and dive into the
fullness of it because familiar with
many principles to govern one
actions One may even attain such
knowledge as to be able to ride
on the crest of the waves just hold
ing the reins and utilizing the pow
ers. ever ready to serve man who
has attained control successfully.
We may never be called upon 90
show great skill in the watery ele-
ment of the ocean, but it Is safe
TO saw that most of us will meet
circumstances in life when the
waves will roll so wildly that moth
ing but keeping above them can
save us. In cases of swim or
sink" splendid performances and
records are possible, but the final