How to Focus: A Monastic Guide for an Age of Distraction

How to Focus like a Monk without Living Like One offers practical insights and advice from early Christian monks to improve attention and engagement, drawing from the Collationes, a manual for monks from late antiquity. By setting goals, training the body, managing memory, using mantras, taking breaks, consulting others, and being honest about oneself, individuals can learn to confront and concentrate on what matters most.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Distraction has been a persistent issue throughout history, and it is not unique to our modern era. Early Christian monks, who renounced worldly possessions to dedicate themselves to God, faced the same challenge of maintaining concentration. Despite their unwavering commitment, they struggled to keep distractions at bay. However, rather than succumbing to their minds' meandering, they developed powerful strategies to enhance their attention and engagement.

"How to Focus" is a captivating compilation of these insightful and practical insights, offering a frank, funny, empathetic, and psychologically sophisticated approach. This wisdom is drawn from John Cassian's fifth-century CE Collationes, one of the most influential manuals for monks from late antiquity. The Collationes follow Cassian and his friend Germanus as they travel around Egypt, seeking guidance from wise monks on how to strengthen their minds. In response, these monks offer a diverse range of techniques for improving focus, including setting goals, training the body, managing memory, utilizing mantras, taking breaks, seeking advice from others, and, most importantly, being honest with oneself.

As Cassian and Germanus journey through Egypt, they come to realize that distraction is an inevitable part of life. However, they also discover that there are ways to confront and overcome it, ultimately leading to improved concentration. The monks' techniques encompass various aspects of mental and physical well-being, aiming to train the attention to focus on what truly matters.

Featuring an engaging new translation by Jamie Kreiner and the original Latin on facing pages, "How to Focus" is accessible to individuals who may not consider themselves monks. It provides valuable guidance for anyone seeking to enhance their attention and concentration, helping them to prioritize their tasks and achieve greater focus in their daily lives.

In conclusion, "How to Focus" offers a timeless and practical guide to improving concentration, drawing inspiration from the wisdom of ancient monks. By adopting these techniques and being honest with oneself, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of focus and engagement, leading to greater productivity and fulfillment in their personal and professional endeavors.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 123 x 180 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691208084