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Attention Awareness & Mindfulness
Shoshin
No one in particularNowhere Special Veteran
This short youtube clip (approx 4 minutes) is packed with information for those who are just starting out on the mindfulness path (It might also be helpful (jog ones memory) for those of us who are well underway on our journey of 1000 miles)
And this "Adyashanti" youtube clip will give one some insight into what resting in awareness is all about...May we all rest as awareness 
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Comments
Wow, this clip just explained something for me! As beginning mediators we are typically advised to seek out a quiet room. And yet some of my most focused meditations have been outdoors or in front of an open window with birds singing or some other sounds - even distant traffic noise. I assumed that the background noise just pulled the active mind away from thoughts about work etc. But it's really much bigger than that. Cool..
Truth is, in a really quiet room my mind really chatters or if it settles down, I doze
@Kenneth
I didn't yet catch the clip but your comment reminded me of Buddhist meditative training temples in Japan where the distractions of nearby traffic noise were presented as one of the better practice models to work with.
So is he talking about mindfulness on or off the cushion here? What I found interesting was the observation that consistent attention on an object leads to better peripheral awareness. That makes sense on the cushion in meditation, where varying degrees of attention can be placed on an object like the breath, but I'm not sure how this applies to mindfulness off the cushion.
I think that constant attention on an object is an exercise in concentration.
The development of the skill of concentration can allow one to be more attentive to all phenomena (which includes peripheral awareness), as opposed to being oblivious to everything that is not in the center of your vision.
"just sit in the center watching,,then forget that you are there "
@SpinyNorman - "so is he talking about mindfulness on or off cushion here?"
I think he's explaining the difference between attention and awareness and how we can use this knowledge when we meditate.
..."but I'm not sure how this applies to mindfulness off the cushion."
Say, I'm running late for a very important appointment and here I am waiting to cross a very busy road.
I will have many thoughts in my mind,
will I be late,
how late will I be,
when is the traffic light going to change colour....
(My attention)I will be staring at the traffic lights.
If and when I realise, I "come back", I will pay attention to my breathing. With mindful breathing, my thoughts dissipates... The traffic light and the busy road become my awareness.
Namaste
Zenni
So redirecting attention away from thoughts?
I think it all depends on what thoughts...
"My" thoughts while waiting to cross the road are useless, leading to impatience and anxiety.
If my thoughts were about some passages I read earlier about Buddha's teachings, I will not redirect my attention.
Wouldn't the first stage be recognising that these thoughts are occurring?
My thoughts would be entirely focused on not becoming a sticky mess on someone's car bumper and bonnet (fender and hood, for my ATP buddies).
Yes. But thoughts do "creep" in.
For me, they used to be all over the place, all the time.
Now, a lot, a lot less.
But they do "come and play" in some tight situations.