As I watched these friends watch a video, I was fascinated by the attentiveness which was obvious though their body language! Usually visual scenes generate intense attention because our eyes behold the scene three dimensionally and holistically. Some are habitually visual by practice!
We give attention to people and situations when we are ready and captivated! Most people who have to lecture to students in a class room struggle with getting the attention of students for forty minutes. From my experience, it is difficult to engage their attention for more than 20 minutes. So the students would need meaningful intermission to restore their attention after a while.
One experience I have had with students during a lecture is to have two or three intermissions that can be like fillers, to unwind them and feel connected with the subject of the lecture.
One intermission that I find most useful is to listen to the current news from their points of view. Often it is not the political news or serious issues that draw their attention! But practical issues which concern their lives! One recent discussion was about lack of parking space in the hospital! Most of them do not own any vehicle, but was concerned about the inconvenience of many who struggle to find a parking space!
I was encouraged by this dialogue because it tells a lot about the mindfulness for others !
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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