Attention to the moment - The art of calm presence - Salla-Maarit Volanen

Through evolution, our brains have been sensitized to look for threats. This trait has turned against us in today's flood of stimuli. That's why we experience stress and anxiety more easily than calmness and positive emotions.

However, this does not have to be the case. When we learn to direct our attention consciously to what is happening in ourselves and around us in each moment, the feeling of threat decreases. We learn to notice that life is much safer and more beautiful than our brains try to tell us. As awareness grows, we are freed to act more wisely in this world.

Attention to the moment guides the reader to live in peace and find their own strength and direction. The book contains plenty of exercises for strengthening presence, handling burdensome thoughts and feelings, and increasing compassion for ourselves and others.

Salla-Maarit Volanen is a doctor of philosophy, researcher and certified MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) trainer. He leads the Terve Oppiva Mieli (TOM) research project, which maps the impact of attendance skills on the well-being of children and young people in elementary schools. The non-profit association of the same name he founded trains well-being skills for educators and teachers.