Concentration

Question 1

3 types of meditation

Answer 1

1. concentration (focused attention)
2. mindfulness (open meditation)
3. loving-kindness

Question 2

who are classifications of meditation important to?

Answer 2

scientists, not meditators

Question 3

attention

Answer 3

taking possession of the mind and focusing on one particular thought

Question 4

concentration

Answer 4

focusing single-mindedly on one object without interruption

Question 5

what should the object of concentration be?

Answer 5

any aspect of your experience

Question 6

concentration meditation

Answer 6

the practice of steadying and focusing attention that allows us to let go of distractions

Question 7

samadhi

Answer 7

sanskrit word meaning “single pointed concentration”

Question 8

how is concentration related to other forms of meditation

Answer 8

it is a good foundation because every form of meditation requires concentration

Question 9

is concentration meditation forced?

Answer 9

yes, it can be developed through willpower

Question 10

less stable type of concentration meditation

Answer 10

meditation focused on anger, hate, lust, greed, etc.

Question 11

is concentration meditation harmful or helpful?

Answer 11

it can be either depending on how it is used, it is like a tool

Question 12

why start by focusing on the breath? (3 reasons)

Answer 12

1. you don’t need to buy anything
2. you don’t need a special place/time
3. breath requires no intentional effort

Question 13

3 skills of concentration meditation

Answer 13

1. monitor and remain vigilant
2. release distractions
3. restore attention

Question 14

2 types of distractions

Answer 14

1. internal

2. external

Question 15

internal distractions

Answer 15

thoughts, emotions, mental chatter

Question 16

mental chatter

Answer 16

replaying mistakes you’ve made in the past or thinking about the future

Question 17

external distractions

Answer 17

anything outside of yourself

Question 18

what effect do distractions have on attention?

Answer 18

they fragment the mind and reduce focus of attention

Question 19

who studied cluttered environments

Answer 19

McMains and Kaster

Question 20

McMains and Kaster study

Answer 20

• used RSVP

- compared performance based on presence of distractors

Question 21

RSVP

Answer 21

rapid serial visual presentation

- ask people if they saw a particular stimulus

Question 22

2 types of distractors in McMains and Kaster study

Answer 22

grouped distractors vs non-grouped distractors

Question 23

McMains and Kaster conclusion

Answer 23

cluttered environment occupies attention and distracts you

Question 24

what should a meditation environment be free from?

Answer 24

1. sensual pleasure
2. hatred
3. mental lethargy
4. restlessness

Question 25

where do monks and nuns go to eliminate distractions

Answer 25

monasteries and nunaries

Question 26

monkey mind

Answer 26

normal state of mind being restless and indecisive

Question 27

vigilance decrement

Answer 27

inability to sustain attention on one particular thing

Question 28

effect of mind wandering on memory

Answer 28

negative impact on memory

Question 29

metacognitive shift

Answer 29

instead of being caught up in thoughts we can observe them from a distance

Question 30

peak experience

Answer 30

blissful absorption in the current moment

Question 31

Maclean et al. study

Answer 31

after 3 month meditation retreat, subjects get better at judging lengths of lines, get less bored