October 8, 2014

October 8, 2014

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Behaviorist

Dear Reader, 

 

It is full moon today and there is nothing this writer can think of to write about. This creates a situation in which he becomes conscious about the fact that usually something is attracting and holding his attention. Because currently this is not the case, a contrast is created. When nothing in particular is asking our attention, we can begin to see where our attention would go, when we are free to let it go where ever it wants to go. In other words, if nothing is already occupying our attention, then what is asking our attention can get our attention. We pay attention to things very differently, when we don’t have to struggle to pay attention. 

Last night this writer had a dream from which he only remembers one thing: he was carried on the shoulders in some sort of victory round and everyone was applauding him and praising him. Since there was nothing for him to do but to relax, he didn’t do anything. He didn’t even wave or smile, but he just enjoyed the fact that others were honoring him. It was a satisfying experience, but there was no recollection about the situation in which this occurred. It seemed as if this celebration and appreciation just burst through, like a ray of sun that broke through the clouds. Suddenly there was this glorious moment of sheer delight.  

It seems to this writer that he woke up this morning different than usual. The thought about the dream he had had would not have occurred if he didn’t let his attention express in writing whatever at that moment came to his attention. If it wasn’t for that, the dream might have been completely forgotten. Many dreams never get our attention, because our attention is not free to express them. 

Something is usually demanding our attention and whatever that might be, this something is something we usually are trying to move away from. Of course, we are talking about aversive experiences, which we rather don’t have. However, we keep having them if we don’t accept the fact that we are having them. By accurately describing them, we understand negative experiences better and we free ourselves of them.  When there is nothing negative to get away from, nothing is preoccupying our attention and we are free to pay attention to whatever is asking our attention.