--- title: Focused Attention Meditation:  A Tool for Building Capacity to Notice Our Reactions to Others description: Guided Focused Attention Meditation invites participants to experiment with different support anchors to stay connected to the present moment experience. image: https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/YellowMug_182233303-3.jpeg --- [![Traumatic Stress Institute](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tsi-logo-transparent-sm-3.png?width=1500&height=329&name=tsi-logo-transparent-sm-3.png "Traumatic Stress Institute")](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/) - [About](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/) - [Vision - Mission - Values](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/mission/) - [Traumatic Stress Institute Staff](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/staff/) - [TSI Faculty Trainers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/rc-faculty-trainers/) - [Sidran](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/sidran-redirect/) - [History of Traumatic Stress Institute](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/company-history/) - [Klingberg Family Centers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/klingberg-family-centers/) - [Careers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/careers/) - [Trauma-Informed Care](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/) - [What Is Trauma Informed Care?](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/) - [Trauma-Informed Care for Organizations](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/trauma-informed-care-for-organizations/) - Risking Connection - [RC 25th Anniversary](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/rc-25th-anniversary/) - [Risking Connection Change Model to Trauma-Informed Care – Standard](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model/) - [IDD Organizations & Systems](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model-idd/) - [Current Client Agencies of the Traumatic Stress Institute](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/whole-system-transformation-to-trauma-informed-care-tic/agencies-using-rc-as-training-model/) - [Risking Connection® (RC) Training](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/risking-connection-training/) - [Restorative Approach® (RA) Training](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/restorative-approach-training/) - [ARTIC Scale](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/the-artic-scale/) - [Training Events](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/events/) - [Trainers' Corner](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/trainers-corner/) - [Blog](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog) - [Books](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/books/) - [Helplines](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/hotline-list/) - [Contact](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/contact/) ### Subscribe to updates ### Categories - [Whole-System Change (52)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/whole-system-change) - [Measurement & Research (27)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/measurement-research) - [Mindfulness (24)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/mindfulness) - [IDD Organizations (11)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/idd-organizations) - [Crisis Response (8)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/crisis-response) - [Head Start (8)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/head-start) - [Insider (1)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/insider) See all This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/YellowMug_182233303-3.jpeg)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/focused-attention-meditation-a-tool-for-building-capacity-to-notice-our-reactions-to-others) # [Focused Attention Meditation:  A Tool for Building Capacity to Notice Our Reactions to Others](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/focused-attention-meditation-a-tool-for-building-capacity-to-notice-our-reactions-to-others) November 5, 2021 / by [John Engel, MA](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/john-engel-ma) ### **Monthly RC Mindfulness: Come Fill Your Cup - November 2021** Nearly 40 RC Trainers, Champions and staff attended the November 3rd RC Monthly Mindfulness session. This blog offers a brief summary of the session, initial feedback from participants, and resources to advance learning and practice. Enjoy the read and remember that **all** staff, Champions, and Trainers at RC agencies are welcome to attend this free, monthly drop-in offering – share this [registration link](https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrcu-vpz4uHdSNMczRQ2NFHTGBrjS23gB4) with your coworkers today. Join us **December 1st** when we will engage in a 10-minute practice of choice (sitting, walking or body scan), then share about our practice experience in breakouts and large group. We will also share preliminary lessons learned from the Monthly RC Mindfulness survey. We really value your feedback and welcome you to complete the 2-3 minute survey using this [survey link](https://forms.gle/71iHwwK4AHq8Df8V8). **Session Summary** In our November session we shared a guided Focused Attention Meditation. In this 11-minute guided practice, participants were invited to experiment with different support anchors to stay connected to the present moment experience. Support anchors included feet, seat, hands and sound. Click below for an audio recording of the practice. [![Focused Attention Meditation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6854647/d1591f15-fb1b-4eb9-a2d1-d5c0f6da45d8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6854647/d1591f15-fb1b-4eb9-a2d1-d5c0f6da45d8) **RC Application** As RC treaters we may notice that our mind wanders during mindfulness practice. This is what minds do, it’s part of being human. The good news is that EVERYONE has the innate capacity to practice gently, and without judgement, noticing that our mind is wandering – that *is* a mindful moment! And with this awareness, we can then choose to direct our attention back to our chosen support anchor – feet, seat, hands, sound, etc. The more we engage in this type of practice, the stronger our mindfulness muscle becomes and we will notice that as RC treaters we will naturally apply this in daily work: "Oh, I notice that my mind is wandering and now I choose to redirect my attention to the client I’m serving or the colleague with whom I’m collaborating." **As you engage in mindfulness practices and build your capacity to notice your reactions to others, consider sharing about your experiences in a team or staff meeting to offer your colleagues an opportunity to learn from your experience.** **Invitation to November Practice** Explore the **Focused Attention Meditation** throughout November and/or mix your practice with sitting, walking or body scan meditations. - 2-3 times per week for 5-10 minutes per session - Set a specific time (if helpful), such as upon rising, mid-morning break, lunch time, pre-bed… - Mix and compare with walking and sitting meditation - Take care of yourself, seek support as needed - **Notice your reactions to others and have fun with the practice!** **Participant Feedback ** Whether you’ve participated in one or more of the Monthly RC Mindfulness sessions, we’d love to have your feedback as we consider future mindfulness offerings. You can access the survey [**here**](https://forms.gle/71iHwwK4AHq8Df8V8) and it will take only 2-3 minutes to complete. **Resource and Reminders for Practice** -  Recording of [Focused Attention Meditation](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/RC%20Monthly%20Mindfulness/Focused%20Attention%20Meditation.m4a) - [Mindfulness Blogs and Resources](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/mindfulness) on the TSI website - ** PowerPoint Slides** for November 3rd Session [![Register for Monthly RC Mindfulness](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6854647/ea49053f-60e4-496f-9d4b-ad69295c6202.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6854647/ea49053f-60e4-496f-9d4b-ad69295c6202) Tags: [Mindfulness](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/mindfulness) ![John Engel, MA](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/09.29.18%20JE%20Headshot%20-%20thumbnail.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=09.29.18%20JE%20Headshot%20-%20thumbnail.jpg) #### Written by [John Engel, MA](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/john-engel-ma) John Engel, Program Coordinator at the Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers, where he serves as a trainer and consultant for agencies adopting whole-system change to trauma-informed care. John also facilitates strategic change initiatives and product development for TSI, including development and launch of the Online ARTIC Scale. John also leads mindfulness in the workplace initiatives, including design and delivery of a webinar entitled, ‘Mindfulness in the Workplace: Practices for Sustaining Trauma-Informed Care,’ a day-long virtual training event, ‘Mindfulness: The Inner Work of Racial Healing and Trauma-Informed Care, ‘Monthly RC Mindfulness’ pilot and a ‘30-Day RC Mindfulness Challenge.’ John is a Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator (CWMF), is certified in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and has participated in virtual and in-person Mindfulness in the Workplace Summits by Mindful Leader. Copyright 2026 | Traumatic Stress Institute