Attention Quote by Jack Kornfield
“As we encounter new experiences with a mindful and wise attention, we discover that one of three things will happen to our new experience: it will go away, it will stay the same, or it will get more intense. whatever happens does not really matter.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield, 1993
Mindful attention reveals that experiences either fade, persist, or intensify, and their outcome is ultimately indifferent to us.
In simple terms: Paying attention shows experiences change or stay, but the result isn’t crucial.
Key Takeaway
Observe without attachment.
Themes
mindfulness
impermanence
acceptance
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- daily meditation
- stressful events
- relationship conflicts
Key Concepts
Buddhism
psychology
attention
Questions to Reflect On
- How does detachment affect your response to pain?
- Can acceptance reduce suffering?
A Different Perspective
The statement may downplay the emotional impact of intense experiences.
![“That whole day [ of the space flight] is very vividly impressed on my memory because it was such a new experience. We hadn't done that before. And then I've recalled it so often since then I think that it's a - it's remained very vivid over the past 50 years, seems to me like about a week or two…” quote by John Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e6/john-glenn-12081_done_that-whole-day-of-the-space-flight-is-ve_1609142.jpg)
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
