This post is in honor of Yonatan, a young boy I’m currently working with to improve his concentration in school. Yonatan is a very bright 10-year old who is struggling to concentrate so that he won’t have to return to Ritalin. We use Energy Guidance Complete to understand what he–and his parents—need to do to help him naturally overcome his perceived problem.

Here is an arrangement that Yonatan created during our last session:

He used shells, stones, beads, curtain hooks, and plastic dogs. His work is creative, buoyant, and balanced. His concentration was visible and normal. Obviously this small project cannot be compared to sitting in a classroom where the teacher is explaining grammatical rules. Nonetheless, it is clear that when Yonatan is interested, he is engaged and focused.

(Anat—if you are reading this post to Yonatan, here is where you should stop. 🙂 )

I have come to understand the problem with attention deficit disorders (through Energy Guidance Complete). The problem is that the modern structure of society demands behavior of humans that is simply unnatural. In the third book of my series, attention “deficit” is explained:

“Modern living requires focus on activities that can be dull, rote, repetitive, and constraining. Modern schools, work places, institutions, and organizations require participation in dull, rote, repetitive, and constraining tasks and situations. People were designed for tasks and situations that are ever-changing. Tasks that demand constant focus and lengthy concentration tax the natural nature of humans. Distractions, tempest, whirl, and hurly-burly—those are the situations people respond to…

People—are—designed—for—doing some of this, doing some of that, moving here, then moving there, short bouts of focus, studied execution of required tasks and chosen pursuits—and then sleep to recharge, repair, and function. People cannot hear and digest information delivered perfunctorily nor handle verbal assault nor accept displays of unimaginative and unmeant praise nor decipher dull and sterilized writing nor participate in uninspired presentations nor stay still for too long nor perform religious requirements without proper guidance and inspiration. Doing these things result in attention distraction, anger or enhanced criticism, dulled emotions and responses, and opposition against more than the cause of the opposition…

The creation of societies that reward unnatural behaviors and occupations and punish normal human behavior punish themselves. People force and repress and mold themselves to function within the constraints of the modern societies. They think they are superior when they manage to overcome their natural inclinations for movement and physical expression. People do manage to adjust to their polygonal existences, but their bodies and spirits bear the brunt of the altered requirements…

Assuming that a person has a deficit because he or she cannot stay still or cannot focus on a dull and uninspiring topic reflects badly on society. There are people born with deficits or who acquire deficits through accident or illness, but perceived deficits of people who are unable to force themselves to live within uncompromising regulations are not deficits—they are expressions of frustration or unreleased energy or laziness or despair.”

Attention to details. Attention to completion of work. Attention to people, other creatures, and to nature. Attention is important. Attention is vital. Within reason and within perspective.