To multitask or not to multitask -- that is the question

[Guest guest]

This reminds me of a great story about the wonderful Zen saint, Sun Sa Nim. He taught his students to do only one thing at a time and one morning some students came in and found him eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. The students said, "Roshi, you taught us to do only one thing at a time, and here you are eating breakfast and reading the newspaper." And He replied, " Yes I am doing one thing, eating breakfast and reading the newspaper"

 

Love

shubalSee what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside His

office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at

hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's go. " We

went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the files were

downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be

said about completing one task at a time with focus versus multitasking. "

 

In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we

cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji has in

a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we are

not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

 

The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the mind

and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so

absorbed that samadhi just happens!

 

So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand things at

once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.

 

So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of

the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and

complete attention to one thing at a time.

 

May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

[Guest guest]

Now this makes total sense. I have to multi task with my job, then commit to so much outside of work I'm usually tired and then I just sleep a lot.

Peace, Carie

On 5/21/07, gauri_108 <gauri_108 wrote:

Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside Hisoffice as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at

hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He couldassist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's go. " Wewent back to His office and got the necessary files. As the files were

downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to besaid about completing one task at a time with focus versus multitasking. " In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we

cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji has ina few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we arenot paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the mindand focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are soabsorbed that samadhi just happens!

So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand things atonce, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of

the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full andcomplete attention to one thing at a time.May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!Please visit us online at

http://www.ShreeMaa.org

[Guest guest]

That's kind of like me, I always read when I eat. well, I read all the time.

Interesting though, depending on one's job most places require the ability to multi-task like mine does.

Peace, Carie

On 5/21/07, shubalanddurga <shubalanddurga wrote:

 

 

 

This reminds me of a great story about the wonderful Zen saint, Sun Sa Nim. He taught his students to do only one thing at a time and one morning some students came in and found him eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. The students said, " Roshi, you taught us to do only one thing at a time, and here you are eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. " And He replied, " Yes I am doing one thing, eating breakfast and reading the newspaper "

 

 

Love

shubal

 

 

See what's free at AOL.com.

-- " As in this body, there are for the embodied one childhood, youth, old age, even so is there the taking on of another body. " ~The Bhagavad Gitawww.shreemaa.orgcare2.com/taraerin

http://360./my_profile-tJHwb8U3d6eoDmrz_QSJbGSq5A--;_ylt=AmO983.9xmGj5UtErDOGuL.kAOJ3?cq=1

[Guest guest]

Gaurimaa,On the question of multitasking:The follower of Raja Yoga would say, "My scriptures tell me that multitasking is in fact a myth. "When we have the illusion that we are doing two or more things at once, what is really the case is that the mind is moving very rapidly (and exhaustingly) back and forth between the two or more objects. In truth, I have never done anything except multitasking-even in meditation-for my scriptures tells me that if I can fix my attention exclusively on single object (whatever it may be) even for an instant, my mind would at once dissolve, and I would be free".The follower of Karma Yoga would say, "My path is the path of action, and, whatever task, or combination of tasks, I may perform, I strive only to take no ownership of that work, but to offer its fruits, and my life as well, to the greater benefit of the universe, and/or to my beloved Lord."The follower of Jnana Yoga would reply, "Whatever action I may appear to be engaged in, I continually inquire, 'Who is Real One Who-standing behind my apparent I-is living this life and performing all that I, apparently, do?'. "And, for that matter, 'Who is that Luminous and Blissful One who-standing behind all the others in my life-is the true recipient of all my actions and loves?'"The follower of Bhakti Yoga would reply, "Whatever actions i may perform, or fail to perform, my only desire is to continuously feel the living and loving Presence of my Beloved Lord, and to fully surrender to that Divine Will in everything that i do"....And any, or all, of these yogas-or pathways to God-can be applied in the pujaroom...or in the larger-albeit noisier-pujaroom which we call the world.Respectfully,Tanmaya , "gauri_108" <gauri_108 wrote:>> Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside His> office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at> hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could> assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, "Let's go." We> went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the files were> downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), "There is something to be> said about completing one task at a time with focus versus multitasking."> > In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we> cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji has in> a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we are> not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just> giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.> > The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the mind> and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so> absorbed that samadhi just happens!> > So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand things at> once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.> > So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of> the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and> complete attention to one thing at a time.> > May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!>

[Guest guest]

I'm so glad you decided to post on this, Gauri. It has been an issue

with me for a long time. I am just awful at multitasking, and with the

emphasis our modern culture has placed on it I have often felt

deficient, wondering, " I do all this practice to develop my

concentration, and I'm supposed to be becoming more efficient, but if

I try to do more than just one thing at a time I just screw it up! "

 

I used to read these articles extolling the virtues of meditation

which always said somewhere that one could expect to become better at

one's job because of the greater focus, and calmness, and creativity.

But my experience has not been so clear-cut. While it's true that I

can focus more easily, with greater calmness, and at least sometimes

with more creativity, I can easily, too easily, become absorbed in a

task so that I lose track of everything else, which is not a good

thing in time-limited circumstances. In situations where more than one

thing is going on at the same time, one of those things invariably

suffers because of my focus on the other.

 

While I certainly am deficient in some respects, at least I have some

validation that I'm not totally messed up in this one. Although I have

read of sages who live excruciatingly busy lives, juggling many facets

of huge spiritual organizations, teaching, writing, planning, playing

the host, as well as doing their sadhana and guiding the disciples,

all essentially at the same time, I think perhaps I should remember

that these are masters who have already achieved total focus and

complete balance and control of the mind. I am still learning to be

one-pointed, and if I cannot multi-task without missing something

somewhere, perhaps I should remember what the real task is, and that

perhaps I am just as I should be at this point in my development.

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

 

 

, " gauri_108 " <gauri_108 wrote:

>

> Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside His

> office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at

> hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

> assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's go. " We

> went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the files were

> downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be

> said about completing one task at a time with focus versus

multitasking. "

>

> In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we

> cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji has in

> a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we are

> not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

> giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

>

> The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the mind

> and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so

> absorbed that samadhi just happens!

>

> So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand things at

> once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.

>

> So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of

> the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and

> complete attention to one thing at a time.

>

> May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Gauri,

 

This is a very interesting post as it is now the norm in the western

world to see multitasking and indeed ability to work under stress as

one of the main requirements of employment. The multitasking is more

a time waster as oft times things are forgotten or left half done for

another to attend to.

 

To be less efficient in the company's thinking means no employment.

How can we who are still in the working world for whatever reason

overcome this?

 

Jai Maa

 

 

, " gauri_108 " <gauri_108 wrote:

>

> Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside His

> office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at

> hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

> assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's go. " We

> went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the files were

> downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be

> said about completing one task at a time with focus versus

multitasking. "

>

> In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we

> cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji has in

> a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we are

> not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

> giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

>

> The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the mind

> and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so

> absorbed that samadhi just happens!

>

> So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand things at

> once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.

>

> So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of

> the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and

> complete attention to one thing at a time.

>

> May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Gauri & Kaliananda,

 

I have a book called " How to Study in College " by Pauk & Owens which

warns multitasking can lead to decreased productivity, forgetfulness,

stress, diminished concentration, procrastination, and even insomnia.

 

Here are a few links from that book:

 

Juggling Too Many Tasks Could Make You Stupid

By Sue Shellenbarger

http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20030228-workfamily.html

 

Just throw 'multitasking' out your window of work Austin Business

Journal - June 7, 2002

by Christina Tibbits

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2002/06/10/smallb3.html

 

Multitasking Madness

By Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil

http://www.contextmag.com/archives/199809/InnerGameOfWork.asp

 

 

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

 

 

 

, " kaliananda_saraswati "

<kaliananda_saraswati wrote:

>

> Namaste Gauri,

>

> This is a very interesting post as it is now the norm in the western

> world to see multitasking and indeed ability to work under stress as

> one of the main requirements of employment. The multitasking is more

> a time waster as oft times things are forgotten or left half done for

> another to attend to.

>

> To be less efficient in the company's thinking means no employment.

> How can we who are still in the working world for whatever reason

> overcome this?

>

> Jai Maa

>

>

> , " gauri_108 " <gauri_108@> wrote:

> >

> > Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside His

> > office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at

> > hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

> > assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's go. " We

> > went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the files were

> > downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be

> > said about completing one task at a time with focus versus

> multitasking. "

> >

> > In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we

> > cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji has in

> > a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we are

> > not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

> > giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

> >

> > The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the mind

> > and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so

> > absorbed that samadhi just happens!

> >

> > So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand things at

> > once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.

> >

> > So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of

> > the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and

> > complete attention to one thing at a time.

> >

> > May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Many thanks rolf.

 

Jai Maa.

 

, " rolf_108 " <rolf_108 wrote:

>

> Namaste Gauri & Kaliananda,

>

> I have a book called " How to Study in College " by Pauk & Owens which

> warns multitasking can lead to decreased productivity, forgetfulness,

> stress, diminished concentration, procrastination, and even insomnia.

>

> Here are a few links from that book:

>

> Juggling Too Many Tasks Could Make You Stupid

> By Sue Shellenbarger

>

http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20030228-workfamily.html

>

> Just throw 'multitasking' out your window of work Austin Business

> Journal - June 7, 2002

> by Christina Tibbits

> http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2002/06/10/smallb3.html

>

> Multitasking Madness

> By Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil

> http://www.contextmag.com/archives/199809/InnerGameOfWork.asp

>

>

> Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

>

>

>

> , " kaliananda_saraswati "

> <kaliananda_saraswati@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste Gauri,

> >

> > This is a very interesting post as it is now the norm in the western

> > world to see multitasking and indeed ability to work under stress as

> > one of the main requirements of employment. The multitasking is more

> > a time waster as oft times things are forgotten or left half done for

> > another to attend to.

> >

> > To be less efficient in the company's thinking means no employment.

> > How can we who are still in the working world for whatever reason

> > overcome this?

> >

> > Jai Maa

> >

> >

> > , " gauri_108 " <gauri_108@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him outside His

> > > office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a task at

> > > hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

> > > assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's

go. " We

> > > went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the

files were

> > > downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be

> > > said about completing one task at a time with focus versus

> > multitasking. "

> > >

> > > In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find that we

> > > cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji

has in

> > > a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask, we are

> > > not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

> > > giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

> > >

> > > The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the

mind

> > > and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so

> > > absorbed that samadhi just happens!

> > >

> > > So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand

things at

> > > once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.

> > >

> > > So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the eyes of

> > > the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and

> > > complete attention to one thing at a time.

> > >

> > > May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Kali, Chris, Rolf, Tanmay, Carrie and everybody,

 

This is quite a topic! My experience is that multitasking is not

efficient, but that it is something we sometimes do even without

noticing. This in turn is showing we are not paying attention or

fucosing. It's a vicious circle. In the west (and as the world

becomes smaller it spreads like a virus throughout) it seems to be a

badge of honor to multitask.

in any case, the truth seems to be that we should do one task at a

time -- efficiently and with as one pointed attention as our Mother

allows and to a smooth finish-- and then we should go on to the next one.

This also echos a lesson by Maa )posted by Ramya Maa) who said that we

should finish what we start right away. I think that when we do one

thing at a time and do it well because we are focused in it, it shows

in our work and our bosses can't but be pleased with it.

 

Here's to focusing on Her all the time and completing our karma one

task at a time!

 

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai Maa

 

 

, " kaliananda_saraswati "

<kaliananda_saraswati wrote:

>

> Many thanks rolf.

>

> Jai Maa.

>

> , " rolf_108 " <rolf_108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste Gauri & Kaliananda,

> >

> > I have a book called " How to Study in College " by Pauk & Owens which

> > warns multitasking can lead to decreased productivity, forgetfulness,

> > stress, diminished concentration, procrastination, and even insomnia.

> >

> > Here are a few links from that book:

> >

> > Juggling Too Many Tasks Could Make You Stupid

> > By Sue Shellenbarger

> >

>

http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20030228-workfamily.html

> >

> > Just throw 'multitasking' out your window of work Austin Business

> > Journal - June 7, 2002

> > by Christina Tibbits

> > http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2002/06/10/smallb3.html

> >

> > Multitasking Madness

> > By Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil

> > http://www.contextmag.com/archives/199809/InnerGameOfWork.asp

> >

> >

> > Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

> >

> >

> >

> > , " kaliananda_saraswati "

> > <kaliananda_saraswati@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Namaste Gauri,

> > >

> > > This is a very interesting post as it is now the norm in the western

> > > world to see multitasking and indeed ability to work under stress as

> > > one of the main requirements of employment. The multitasking is

more

> > > a time waster as oft times things are forgotten or left half

done for

> > > another to attend to.

> > >

> > > To be less efficient in the company's thinking means no employment.

> > > How can we who are still in the working world for whatever reason

> > > overcome this?

> > >

> > > Jai Maa

> > >

> > >

> > > , " gauri_108 " <gauri_108@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Him

outside His

> > > > office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a

task at

> > > > hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

> > > > assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's

> go. " We

> > > > went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the

> files were

> > > > downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be

> > > > said about completing one task at a time with focus versus

> > > multitasking. "

> > > >

> > > > In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we find

that we

> > > > cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji

> has in

> > > > a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask,

we are

> > > > not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just

> > > > giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

> > > >

> > > > The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the

> mind

> > > > and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so

> > > > absorbed that samadhi just happens!

> > > >

> > > > So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand

> things at

> > > > once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.

> > > >

> > > > So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in the

eyes of

> > > > the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and

> > > > complete attention to one thing at a time.

> > > >

> > > > May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

And there was an article in the New York Times that went around my office recently. The entire office breathed a collective sigh of relief, and everyone agreed to work on not multitasking, but instead doing one thing at a time, and doing it well. Only checking email periodically, etc. Immediately, everyone seemed to feel calmer, lighter, less pressured to be doing everything all the time.

 

 

That lasted for a few days, and then old habits were back in force! When flying emails weren't responded to immediately, or when lots of projects weren't all juggled at once, there were problems, etc. So, it's an ongoing lesson. We're so acculturated to multitasking now... a symptom of the kaliyuga, perhaps, where focus is sacrificed for perceived efficiency, but really is replaced by mental numbness and confusion. I suffer from this a lot! Sadhana is the only thing that has helped keep me focused in the rest of daily living. This is why I think the Chandi has it right when it talks about discipline being the key to freedom.

 

Here is the NYT article:

 

Slow Down, Multitasker, and Don't Read This in Traffic, by Steve Lohr

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/business/25multi.html?ex=1332475200 & en=f2956114b1265d9b & ei=5090

 

 

 

prema saa'ham

-sundari

 

 

On 5/24/07, gauri_108 <gauri_108 wrote:

 

 

 

 

 

Namaste Kali, Chris, Rolf, Tanmay, Carrie and everybody,This is quite a topic! My experience is that multitasking is notefficient, but that it is something we sometimes do even withoutnoticing. This in turn is showing we are not paying attention or

fucosing. It's a vicious circle. In the west (and as the worldbecomes smaller it spreads like a virus throughout) it seems to be abadge of honor to multitask.in any case, the truth seems to be that we should do one task at a

time -- efficiently and with as one pointed attention as our Motherallows and to a smooth finish-- and then we should go on to the next one.This also echos a lesson by Maa )posted by Ramya Maa) who said that we

should finish what we start right away. I think that when we do onething at a time and do it well because we are focused in it, it showsin our work and our bosses can't but be pleased with it.Here's to focusing on Her all the time and completing our karma one

task at a time!Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai Maa , " kaliananda_saraswati "

<kaliananda_saraswati wrote:>> Many thanks rolf.> > Jai Maa.> >

, " rolf_108 " <rolf_108@> wrote:> >> > Namaste Gauri & Kaliananda,> > > > I have a book called " How to Study in College " by Pauk & Owens which

> > warns multitasking can lead to decreased productivity, forgetfulness,> > stress, diminished concentration, procrastination, and even insomnia.> > > > Here are a few links from that book:

> > > > Juggling Too Many Tasks Could Make You Stupid> > By Sue Shellenbarger > >>

http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20030228-workfamily.html> > > > Just throw 'multitasking' out your window of work Austin Business> > Journal - June 7, 2002

> > by Christina Tibbits> > http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2002/06/10/smallb3.html

> > > > Multitasking Madness> > By Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil> >

http://www.contextmag.com/archives/199809/InnerGameOfWork.asp> > > > > > Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!> > > > > > > >

, " kaliananda_saraswati " > > <kaliananda_saraswati@> wrote:> > >> > > Namaste Gauri,> > > > > > This is a very interesting post as it is now the norm in the western

> > > world to see multitasking and indeed ability to work under stress as> > > one of the main requirements of employment. The multitasking ismore> > > a time waster as oft times things are forgotten or left half

done for> > > another to attend to.> > > > > > To be less efficient in the company's thinking means no employment. > > > How can we who are still in the working world for whatever reason

> > > overcome this?> > > > > > Jai Maa> > > > > > > > >

, " gauri_108 " <gauri_108@> wrote:> > > >> > > > Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Himoutside His> > > > office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and a

task at> > > > hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could> > > > assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's> go. " We> > > > went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the

> files were> > > > downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be> > > > said about completing one task at a time with focus versus> > > multitasking. "

> > > > > > > > In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we findthat we> > > > cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji> has in

> > > > a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask,we are> > > > not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just> > > > giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.

> > > > > > > > The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the> mind> > > > and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so> > > > absorbed that samadhi just happens!

> > > > > > > > So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand> things at> > > > once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.> > > > > > > > So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in theeyes of> > > > the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and> > > > complete attention to one thing at a time.

> > > > > > > > May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!> > > >> > >> >> -- -------

erinwww.erinjohansen.com

[Guest guest]

What is interesting is that I proof, edit, type at work 8 hours a day, at home for other jobs and my brain is like a human spellcheck. My son came in the other night to ask where his box of checks were and I did not understand him in my sleep until he spelled the word 'checks' and then I was awake and found it. So even my brain works while I sleep.

 

Peace, Carie

On 5/24/07, gauri_108 <gauri_108 wrote:

Namaste Kali, Chris, Rolf, Tanmay, Carrie and everybody,This is quite a topic! My experience is that multitasking is not

efficient, but that it is something we sometimes do even withoutnoticing. This in turn is showing we are not paying attention orfucosing. It's a vicious circle. In the west (and as the worldbecomes smaller it spreads like a virus throughout) it seems to be a

badge of honor to multitask.in any case, the truth seems to be that we should do one task at atime -- efficiently and with as one pointed attention as our Motherallows and to a smooth finish-- and then we should go on to the next one.

This also echos a lesson by Maa )posted by Ramya Maa) who said that weshould finish what we start right away. I think that when we do onething at a time and do it well because we are focused in it, it shows

in our work and our bosses can't but be pleased with it.Here's to focusing on Her all the time and completing our karma onetask at a time!Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai Maa

, " kaliananda_saraswati " <kaliananda_saraswati wrote:>> Many thanks rolf.>> Jai Maa.>>

, " rolf_108 " <rolf_108@> wrote:> >> > Namaste Gauri & Kaliananda,> >> > I have a book called " How to Study in College " by Pauk & Owens which

> > warns multitasking can lead to decreased productivity, forgetfulness,> > stress, diminished concentration, procrastination, and even insomnia.> >> > Here are a few links from that book:

> >> > Juggling Too Many Tasks Could Make You Stupid> > By Sue Shellenbarger> >>http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20030228-workfamily.html

> >> > Just throw 'multitasking' out your window of work Austin Business> > Journal - June 7, 2002> > by Christina Tibbits> >

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2002/06/10/smallb3.html> >> > Multitasking Madness> > By Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil> >

http://www.contextmag.com/archives/199809/InnerGameOfWork.asp> >> >> > Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!> >> >> >> >

, " kaliananda_saraswati " > > <kaliananda_saraswati@> wrote:> > >> > > Namaste Gauri,> > >> > > This is a very interesting post as it is now the norm in the western

> > > world to see multitasking and indeed ability to work under stress as> > > one of the main requirements of employment. The multitasking ismore> > > a time waster as oft times things are forgotten or left half

done for> > > another to attend to.> > >> > > To be less efficient in the company's thinking means no employment.> > > How can we who are still in the working world for whatever reason

> > > overcome this?> > >> > > Jai Maa> > >> > >> > > , " gauri_108 " <gauri_108@> wrote:

> > > >> > > > Recently i had the opportunity to see Swamiji. I met Himoutside His> > > > office as He was leaving. He had something on His mind and atask at> > > > hand. I asked him about a project i was working on and if He could

> > > > assist me with it. He stopped, looked at me, and said, " Let's> go. " We> > > > went back to His office and got the necessary files. As the> files were

> > > > downloading, He said (and i paraphrase), " There is something to be> > > > said about completing one task at a time with focus versus> > > multitasking. " > > > >

> > > > In our culture today, multitasking has become a god. we findthat we> > > > cannot just do one thing at a time -- it's a waste! But Swamiji> has in> > > > a few words shed light into its evil side. When we multitask,

we are> > > > not paying attention to any one particular activity. We are just> > > > giving it enough mind in order to keep it going.> > > >> > > > The whole point of puja, meditation, yoga asanas is to quiet the

> mind> > > > and focus it on the chosen object of perception so that we are so> > > > absorbed that samadhi just happens!> > > >> > > > So, by thinking that we are efficient while doing a thousand

> things at> > > > once, we see that it is counterproductive to our ultimate goal.> > > >> > > > So, my friends, choose to be a little LESS efficient in theeyes of

> > > > the world and a little MORE focused on Her by giving your full and> > > > complete attention to one thing at a time.> > > >> > > > May Divine Mother bless us all with peace!

> > > >> > >> >>Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org