Paying attention, as understood in the contemplative teachings, is not merely a mechanical act of cognitive focus but a tender, heartfelt engagement with the present moment. It is a phenomenon where awareness is suffused with care, curiosity, and a willingness to immerse fully in the texture of our experience. This act of attending involves a quality of presence that is both receptive and discerning, allowing one to meet each moment with an open and loving mind. It invites us into a deeper intimacy with life, where each sensation, thought, and feeling is experienced vividly and without prejudice. In this way, paying attention becomes a profound expression of our inherent potential for wisdom and compassion.

See also: attention, awareness, suffering, awakening, emptiness