Hello April | Three things about attention
The attention movement, the magic of attending, and more Montessori
Hi everyone, how is your attention lately?
It’s so easy to spend time in places that are ruinous to our attention — both virtual and real. I’m excited about the potential of the emerging attention movement to shift that.
An article worth re-reading and considering deeply
This wonderful op-ed, “Powerful Forces Are Fracking Our Attention. We Can Fight Back” came out in the New York Times last November. While it’s easy to find panicky narratives about all that’s wrong in the world, it’s harder to find clear statements about what’s needed. Framing the collective project around the theme of attention is elegant, simple and profound: rekindling our capacity to pay attention, and creating spaces that nourish this, feels like a clear and worthwhile project to me — relevant to the future of work, education, relationship.
A quote about the potency of attention
“I call attention a moral act, because the kind of attention we pay changes the world, it changes what is there to find, and it changes us, in the process of attending.”
- Iain McGilchrist
This gem was part of a beautiful conversation on ‘the magic of attending’ between Dr. Iain McGilchrist and Jonathan Pageau, titled Beyond Materialism (begins 58:20).
Montessori as a form of attention activism
I’m heartened to see more conversation taking place lately about Montessori education and parenting, because Montessori spaces are built to honor the development and sanctity of one’s attention. But what is it about a Montessori space that does this?
The Arthur Waser Foundation’s brilliant Montessori pattern language identifies the 28 interconnected patterns that give rise to soul-nourishing Montessori architecture around the world. I love this and my future home is going to be built with these!
Two related things: I was gladdened by Montessori educator Simone Davies’ wise and loving rebuttal of a thin and cynical article about Montessori parenting that appeared in the Atlantic in February. And, here’s my piece on children’s attention as sacred.
The word attention suggests a beautiful combination of serenity and reach. Its root comes from an ancient word meaning to stretch toward. Recent writings about attention compare it to love, to prayer, to generosity. All these things resonate with me and inspire me to practice attending with deeper care and seriousness, and contribute to building a world where that’s easier to do.
Thank you for your attention, Mitra