Does attention widen in mindfulness?
Short Answer
Often yes. Instead of tunnel-vision on one worry, attention can include body sensation, environment, and emotional tone. That widening reduces the felt dominance of any single thought.
Why This Matters
Mindfulness works by changing attention and meta-awareness, not by eliminating experience. When you understand attention mechanics, you stop interpreting distraction as failure. This makes practice more stable and transferable to work and relationships.
Where This Changes
Focused vs open mindfulness can produce very different experiences. If one style increases tension or rumination, switch styles or change anchors. The “right” form is the one that increases clarity without destabilizing you.