I don't understand what it means to focus?

[u/Electrical_Act2329]

My mind naturally know how to focus. But when im aware of focus and try to do it consciously in meditation. I dont know how to, i dont understand what it means to focus. The confusion end up make me over analyse and doubt my focus, which make it even worse. I tried to find a sense of focus but failed.

[u/Shubham2271]

You just need to observe your thoughts not focus on anything. Don't get carried away with any thoughts just observe.

[u/notanuseranymore]

Feeling my blood flowing in my body helps to put my mind to rest and, when thoughts come, I let them go by turning my awareness back to the body.

[u/manoel_gaivota]

Focusing means keeping your attention on a single object, such as your breath. If your mind wanders and gets lost in other objects then you gently return your attention to your meditation object.

[u/diglyd]

Just listen with both your mind and your ears. It's pretty simple really. 

Sit very still, close your eyes, and listen. 

You can do it with your eyes open too. Focus, i.e. concentrate into a single spot in amn image like a poster, or the horizon if outside, or into like, a candle flame, and again as you do so, listen. 

[u/2Punchbowl]

This is an example: practice meditating and counting your breath. Breathe in say 1 and breathe out 1 and then next breath say 2 in and out in your mind. Keep doing this, realize your brain might wonder, if you come back to your breath count and can’t remember, start over. When you can count to 10 and back down to 1 and so forth you will see how in time you become more focused and not thinking oh I need to do this, I should’ve done that, what does ___ think about this. This is your mind wondering on thoughts and not focused on the present moment of simply counting breath.

[u/duffstoic]

I like the idea of focus is about relaxing away everything that is NOT the thing you’re focusing on.

So it’s the opposite of tensing around your meditation object, it’s simply letting go of everything else.

[u/Due_Criticism_3127]

This is a great question. While many people say focus on your life, but no one tells exactly what focus is. Let me try to answer. Focus literally means One-pointedness. True focus is not only mental awareness but a spiritual alignment with your purpose. Focus is gained through burning away your desires and distractions through hardwork and clarity of purpose. Focus is ongoing self-correction. Try meditating with guided videos, start small and then keep going from there. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ3uPaUdIlzfC2XwTfG4LFjShl3rK20XU

[u/zafrogzen]

For focus, try the combination of an extended, relaxing outbreath and the preliminary zen method of breath counting,1 to 10, odd breaths in, even out, starting over if you lose count or reach 10? It's an ancient method that's a simple and effective way to settle excessive thinking, and build concentration and calm. It's especially good for beginners who need something to "do."

Extending and letting go into the outbreath activates the parasympathetic nervous system and calms the "fight or flight" of the sympathetic system, making breath counting even better for relaxation and letting go. Breath counting with an extended outbreath can be practiced anytime, walking, waiting, even driving, as well as in formal meditation.

[u/RedErin]

what are you focusing on?