Winds of Change.NET: 48 Ways to Wisdom: Way #9

September 27, 2002

48 Ways to Wisdom: Way #9 - Total Concentration

by Joe Katzman at September 27, 2002 3:17 AM

This is a regular feature on Winds of Change. Every Friday (for Friday evening begins the Jewish Sabbath), we cover one more way to wisdom from Rabbi Noah Weinberg. These materials are written by an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, but are written in such a way that they retain their full value no matter what creed you follow.

Think of it as a gentle and modern way of sharing 5,000+ years of accumulated wisdom. In this segment, Rabbi Weinberg talks about learning to focus. I must admit that I didn't get as much out of this one as I have from other installments, partly because it seemed a bit unfocused itself.

Hey, I'm a writer too. I know how that goes - sometimes you have to pitch anyway, even when you don't have your best stuff. Still, there were some useful ideas:

"In Jewish consciousness, before any important activity, we say: "Hineni muchan u'me'zuman" - "I am about to do activity X." It's a declaration to apply one's mind for a certain period of time, and to block out extraneous thoughts and emotions. Try saying aloud "I am now going to study," or "I am now going to honor my parents," etc."

Not bad. This one is worth trying. Next week, I'll let y'all know how it went. Rabbi Weinberg also writes:

"...How do you avoid this trap? Be interested in truth, wherever it will lead. If you find truth and it conflicts with your prior beliefs, dissolve your prejudices. Be relentless in the pursuit of truth. "I have to change my whole life? Okay, I am not afraid."

Just had a very long discussion last night with my girlfriend about this very topic. How do we form our beliefs, and what patterns do we use to maintain them... or question them? If you're going to try some serious concentration, I can ly recommend that topic as a productive one.

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