Concentration
is one of the most fundamental and essential elements of a meaningful tefila
(prayer). Each time we say Shema Yisrael, we’re supposed to cover our eyes with
our right hand to minimize the possibility of being distracted to the very best
of our abilities. Shema is just one of many prayers that demand our upmost concentration.
The early pious ones (Chasidim Harishonim) would prepare themselves for an hour
before each prayer so that they could maintain proper concentration. They appreciated
the difficulty of remaining focused on the one hand and the importance of it on
the other. If I were to use them as a model to improve my own prayer, over the
course of an hour my mind would wonder to so many places that I probably wouldn’t
even realize when davening started much less have improved concentration
throughout it. Additionally, waking up an hour earlier would give the added
difficulty of fighting off sleep while attempting to focus. We need to find a
model for the preparation that is greatly lacking from our tefila. Simply
jumping in to davening while anticipating the day to come or reflecting on the
day that passed will leave us zooming through each prayer while mumbling the words
off by memory. Tefila would be the least significant part of the day, and an opportunity
to come close to God will be turned into an obligated waste of time.
In the
fifth book, Harry is challenged to focus so intently that even men with access
to his brain could only see the thoughts that he wanted them to. For this exercise
he received a few very helpful tips. Occlumency, as Snape explains, is the
ability to block out certain memories and feelings. It’s the use of one’s brain
to repel intrusions and stay focused. That sounds like it would be exactly what
we need to push out distractions and stay focused on the words, their meaning,
and our personal connection to them. The three steps that Snape repeats to
Harry in the first lesson are close your eyes, clear your mind, and let go of
all emotion. Only then can he achieve proper focus. Firstly, like we see by
covering our eyes in Shema, the more we’re seeing the harder it is to pay
attention. Secondly, it’s not enough just to concentrate on one thing out of
the hundreds that are zooming through your head. That concentration will only
persist for so long before another idea pushes it out. First the mind needs to
be emptied. Rather than blocking out ninety nine distraction to focus on one
thought. Empty out everything and build what you want to focus on from scratch.
Lastly, while emotions themselves may not be distracting, in fact they should
even be embraced while davening, the way you feel has a powerful influence on
how you think. We need to let go of our emotion and allow our prayer to influence
how we feel rather than the other way around.
Upon
the completion of the lesson, Snape gives Harry homework to prepare for their
next meeting. “You are to rid your mind of all emotion every night before
sleep; empty it, make it blank and calm, you understand?” Proper focus is a
skill. Clearing out your thoughts is an art. These things can’t be done on a
whim; they require constant practice. Additionally, what’s true about occlumency
is true for tefila as well. “And be warned, Potter… I shall know if you have
not practiced” if you don’t work on it, it will become readily apparent when
put to the test. Snape can tell immediately when Harry hadn’t been practicing
because focus can’t be so easily turned off an on.
