GUIDE

Meditation for Focus

Training attention for study and work

Attention is a skill, and like any skill it can be trained. Meditation is essentially attention practice, which is why many students and professionals use it.

QUICK ANSWER

Can meditation improve focus?

Research suggests it can help. In a 2013 study, students who completed two weeks of mindfulness training showed less mind-wandering, better working memory and higher reading-comprehension scores on a standardised test. Meditation trains you to notice distraction and return to the task, a skill that carries over into study and work.

A focus practice before study or work

  1. Put your phone face down, out of reach.
  2. Take five slow breaths.
  3. For three minutes, count breaths from one to ten, then start again. If you lose count, start again at one.
  4. Begin your task with one clear intention for the next 25–45 minutes.

For students

Short, regular practice tends to work better than occasional long sessions, especially around exams. For exam nerves, see meditation for stress.

Learn a complete practice

The Happiness Program in Jaipur teaches breathing practices, Sudarshan Kriya™ and guided meditation that many participants use to create space for greater clarity and attention.

Sources

  1. Mrazek MD, et al. Mindfulness training improves working memory capacity and GRE performance while reducing mind wandering. Psychological Science, 2013.
  2. Goyal M, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2014.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long should students meditate?

Even 5–10 minutes a day can be a useful start. Consistency matters more than length.

READY TO BEGIN?

Upcoming dates are shared on WhatsApp. New to Art of Living? Your journey begins with the Happiness Course in Jaipur.