The Open-Focus Brain: Harnessing the Power of Attention to Heal Mind and Body

My own introduction to Open Focus took place in the early 1980s when I explored its potential as a tool for spiritual development. Buddhist meditation techniques such as Vipassana and Dzogchen are attentiveness training practices. In Vipassana you begin by narrowly focusing on breath sensations and gradually widen the field of attention until it takes in whatever is arising in the mind. In Dzogchen meditation (an advanced practice) you go immediately into that wide-angle, all-inclusive mode of attending and hang out there. Both are highly worthwhile practices, but to develop the ability to enter at will that open-to-everything mindset requires an extended period of prior practice. During the 1970s Les Fehmi developed and recorded a series of exercises designed to talk a person into the Open Focus mind state. By the time I heard about these tapes I had already attended several Vipassana retreats. I bought a set of tapes, and when I started using them I was immediately impressed by how effective they were. If I diligently followed the suggestions being made on the tape, at the end of the half-hour lesson I would invariably be in the Open Focus mode of attending to mind contents. That was rarely the case when I spent an equal amount of time doing Vipassana meditation. Better yet, after using the tapes daily for several weeks I found that in everyday life circumstances I was able to switch at will between narrow-focus attention and Open Focus -- something I had not yet developed the ability to do in my meditation practice. When I recently obtained a copy of THE OPEN-FOCUS BRAIN and its companion CD I was delighted. It now seems likely that this powerful technique will finally get the widespread recognition it deserves.

*CE Johnson writes: "This book doesn't explain how the exercises are supposed to bring a person from narrow focus to open focus." Yes, it does. Fehmi describes how in his early attempts to elicit EEG alpha synchrony (the benefits of which he discusses) failed until he began to work with formless "imagery." His subsequent decades of work have shown that this type of imagery (focusing on empty space) reliably brings about alpha synchrony in his clients and his students' clients. The connection between alpha synchrony and attentional style is discussed, as is the way in which Open-Focus practice generalizes into everyday life. I understand that the exercises can seem a bit quirky at first, and the particular focus (space between body parts) actually still puts me off somewhat. But they DO work. Dr. Fehmi did not begin his work with a metaphysical or aesthetic agenda about the style of the exercises; rather, they emerged directly from scientific observation of what works to guide the brain toward a salutary state, one that is unlikely to arise on its own in the current (perennial?) insanity of the world.

I approached this book with pure skepticism. I thought it would be boring, and, as a scientist, I could not believe that a few simple exercises could begin to alleviate the mental and physical pain of stress and depression. But I was wrong! Fehmi combines his years of research and experience with a forthright and simple presentation. His humanism shines throughgout the book. The text is simple and clear, and I found myself, wanting to learn more with each chapter I read. In addition, the included CD is terrific, especially, as I love to listen to audio books. My favorite exercises, "Expanding Your Awareness of Visual Space" and "Seeing in Open Focus", are particularly useful to me, in reducing the chronic tension that lives in my shoulder muscles. Buy this book!

Strongly agree with the above review. Fehmi clearly points out the destructive and healing affects of the way we pay attention. I found the practices in the book to be simple and effective even while reading in a bookstore. Most of the key concepts are not new, as they can be traced back to ancient meditation techniques and understanding. However, backed by over 30 years of practice Fehmi outlines a refreshingly down to earth assessment and implementation of attention in everyday living. As an artist, this book has helped me to realize the differences in attention that is such a critical part of the creative process. No doubt I was intuitively working with them before, but now they are much more apparent. Thanks to Dr. Fehmi for this wonderfully insightful book!

This is an important, groundbreaking book that promises to become a classic that could very well become more and more widely read over the decades. More than any other book, it reminds me of Herbert Benson's RELAXATION RESPONSE. Just as Benson took a simple concept-- relaxation-- and created a landmark book on how to do it... simply, Les Fehmi, with co-author Jim Robbins, has laid out an approach to attention that is remarkable in its simplicity and power to change lives. As Fehmi points out, our lives, our experiences, all we know, are determined by how we pay attention. The process of paying attention is usually something we ignore. Yet, Fehmi teaches, we can easily learn how to become aware of how we are paying attention and then voluntarily pay attention as we choose to. Fehmi walks us through the ways that narrowed, inflexible attention leads to stress and stress disorders, depression, reduced performance, even diminished relationships. The good news is he provides practical, easy to learn and implement techniques which work-- and quickly, at that. I first learned the Open Focus technique from Les Fehmi 30 years ago. I've used them ever since in my life and as a trainer and consultant teaching newcomer physicians, psychologists, counselors, educators, etc. the field of biofeedback and self regulation. I've taught hundreds of practitioners this technique because I believe it is very effective and powerful. This book has been long overdue and will be highly valuable to both lay readers and professional psychologists. Fehmi's co-author Jim Robbins is an extraordinary writer who has helped Fehmi to take his ideas and put them into a fun and fascinating to read language that makes this book almost as engaging as a great novel. Dr. Fehmi has been a consultant to the Dallas Cowboys, Golf Pros, ther US Olympic team and so many others who have benefited from these techniques. He's polished and fine tuned them with biofeedback and brain assessment technologies. This means that, unlike many techniques, Open Focus has been objectively measured and tested with brain wave technologies such as neurofeedback devices and brain maps. Ask yourself. How much thought have you given to the way YOU pay attention. What are the parameters you assess? What "handles" do you have for modulating and adjusting your attention for different situations? Most people don't have good answers to these questions. This book provides them. Some people will approach this book as a self-help book for healing disorders caused by stress, anxiety, etc. Some will, like the pro teams and players who have hired Dr. Fehmi, approach this book as an aid to help improve performance, to reach peak performance and optimal functioning. Some will seek out this book to help their personal relationships. Some will approach it as a map for achieving higher consciousness and or spiritual deepening. All will find answers that will make a difference in their lives and work. As