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A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga556
Likewise there may be drawn another distinction and division of
attention into two classes, viz., Attention attracted by some impression
coming into consciousness without any conscious effort of the Will—this is
called Involuntary Attention, for the Attention and Interest is caught by the
attractiveness or novelty of the object. Attention directed to some object
by an effort of the Will, is called Voluntary Attention. Involuntary Attention
is quite common, and requires no special training. In fact, the lower animals,
and young children seem to have a greater share of it than do adult men. A
great percentage of men and women never get beyond this stage to any
marked degree. On the other hand, Voluntary Attention requires effort, will,
and determination—a certain mental training, that is beyond the majority
of people, for they will not “take the trouble” to direct their attention in this
way. Voluntary Attention is the mark of the student and other thoughtful
men. They focus their minds on objects that do not yield immediate interest
or pleasure, in order that they may learn and accomplish. The careless person
will not thus fasten his Attention, at least not more than a moment or so, for
his Involuntary Attention is soon attracted by some passing object of no
matter how trifling a nature, and the Voluntary Attention disappears and is
forgotten. Voluntary Attention is developed by practice and perseverance,
and is well worth the trouble, for nothing in the mental world is accomplished
without its use.
The Attention does not readily fasten itself to uninteresting objects, and,
unless interest can be created, it requires a considerable degree of Voluntary
Attention in order that the mind may be fastened upon such an object. And,
more than this, even if the ordinary attention is attracted it will soon waver,
unless there is some interesting change in the aspect of the object, that
will give the attention a fresh hold of interest, or unless some new quality,
characteristic or property manifests itself in the object. This fact occurs
because the mind mechanism has not been trained to bear prolonged
Voluntary Attention, and, in fact, the physical brain is not accustomed to the
task, although it may be so trained by patient practice.