"Pay attention!" One of the biggest challenges living with Attention Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, or living with someone who has ADD is the lack of ability to concentrate for any length of time.
Dr. Laurel Clark, author, teacher, counselor and President of SOM, the School of Metaphysics, a non-profit educational organization with 16 branches in 9 states, uses coursework, exercise and various forms of media to help people with ADHD and other concentration issues learn to focus and pay attention.
How long have you been teaching essential mind skills (techniques in undivided attention and concentration?
Dr. Clark: I have been teaching metaphysics and essential mind skills since 1979. The School of Metaphysics course of study is a step-by-step program. The concentration exercises increase in length as a student practices over time.
How Concentration exercises work for ADHD:
Dr. Clark explains how SOM teaches people with ADHD to concentrate:
- In the beginning, a simple concentration exercise (that can be done by children as well as adults), is to find a clock with a clock face and a second hand. (not a digital clock.) Set a timer for 5 minutes, and gaze at the second hand as it goes around the clock for 5 minutes. Focus on the second hand and if there are any other thoughts that enter the mind, simply bring the point of focus back to the second hand. Since it moves fairly rapidly, it is easier to focus on (in beginning) than a stationary object.
- After awhile, when this is not so challenging, the person can focus on the minute hand of the clock for five minutes. Since this moves more slowly, it requires more concentration and is a greater challenge.
- Then, the student can progress to a 10-minute a day concentration exercise. A simple one is to focus on the tip of one's finger. Gaze at the fingertip, hold the attention steady, and if any thoughts enter the mind, let them go and bring the attention back to the fingertip.
According to Dr. Clark, "These exercises may seem simple, and they are, but not easy!" She goes on to explain that in our "multi-tasking society," most people do not even try to concentrate. "We tend to applaud thinking and doing several things at once. So the practice of clearing the mind of extraneous thoughts, focusing the whole attention and the mind on a single object for 5 or 10 minutes, reaps great results."
The outcome of mental exercise is to produce a greater calm and peace of mind and enable one to control emotions better, another challenge for those who deal with impulsiveness.
Dr. Clark teaches another great concentration exercise that focuses on breathing – similar to yoga – by paying attention to the inhale and to the exhale, counting "one" with the inhale and "two" with the exhale. Or if it's easier, to think "in" and "out." The breath will become slower, and the mind will become calmer.
The School of Metaphysics has worked with hundreds of students, age 18 to 70. Camps are offered from time to time for children.
The School of Metaphysics teaches what they is referred to as essential mind skills to help ADHD:
- self respect
- undivided attention
- listening
- memory
- imagination
- reasoning
- intuition breath
- entrainment
- visualization
- meditation
- dream interpretation
Dr. Clark shares two stories of recent success, an adult physician who was able to refocus his concentration and become medication-free. He previously took Adderall, an ADHD medication but disliked the feeling he had while medicated.
Another student, in her early 20s, was diagnosed as a child with a learning disability and ADD and she suffered from low self-esteem. By learning to concentrate, this young woman has been able to learn how to learn and has gone on to a successful career as a writer and teacher.
Dr. Clark is the author of several books, including Concentration, which is a little pocket size book that contains the clock concentration exercise and gives some of the benefits of concentration, such as opening the mind to receive intuitive insight.
Additional Information:
Dr. Clark is the author of the books The Law of Attraction and Other Secrets of Visualization, Dharma: Finding Your Soul’s Purpose, Karmic Healing, Vital Ingredient: Healing for a Higher Purpose, Concentration, and Shaping Your Life: The Power of Creative Imagery. She is co-author and editor of Interpreting Dreams for Self Discovery and a contributor to the books Uncommon Knowledge, How to Raise an Indigo Child, Total Recall and Power of Structure.
Elizabeth Richards - Elizabeth Richards has published almost 200 articles for Suite101 since 2007 as a Contributing and Feature Writer.
Join the Conversation