Gaps of Thought
Gaps of Thought meditation shows how easily our attention scatters.
Instead of forcing your focus, gently place the sentences in your field of view. Becoming aware of changes (meaningless sentences) in a relaxed state is mindfulness.
StartSkills Trained by this Meditation
Noticing
The ability to immediately recognize when your attention wanders and bring it back.
Sustained Attention
The ability to focus on a single task continuously for an extended period.
Meta-Cognition
The ability to objectively observe and regulate your own cognitive processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does this practice work?
Sentences about mindfulness pass through the center of the screen. Randomly, a 'meaningless sentence' appears. Tap (or click) the screen when you see it.
What ability does this training build?
It trains the ability to quickly detect when your attention has drifted — by catching meaningless stimuli among mindfulness sentences.
Why does noticing when attention drifts matter?
You can't return to focus if you don't know you've lost it. Noticing is the first step in recovering attention. The stronger this skill becomes, the faster you can catch and correct lapses in daily life.
How can I get the most out of this practice?
Rather than engaging deeply with each sentence, keep your gaze relaxed on the screen and stay alert for meaningless stimuli. If you miss one, don't dwell on it — simply refocus for the next.