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Week 7 Summary : Trying and Concentration

 

Alexander warned that trying too hard often makes things worse. The effort to recapture a feeling or to force success creates tension and conflict, rather than ease and coordination. True change cannot be achieved by straining for it. It will appear when we stop interfering.

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He also criticised common ideas of concentration, where effort shows up as furrowed brows, clenched muscles, and fixed staring. This so-called concentration is not real attention but a kind of conflict in the body and mind. Alexander contrasted this with singleness of purpose, which is a clear, simple intention without unnecessary effort.

In practice, this means noticing when “I must” collides with “I can’t,” and instead allowing a more open, easeful state of attention. Rather than trying harder, we learn to direct our energy with clarity, and trust that coordination will follow.

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​Takeaway

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Trying harder often creates conflict. Concentration with effort narrows us, while easeful attention brings clarity and coordination.

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