Focal and global attention constitute two distinct modes of listening

Evidence

The sitting position described for the exercise is common to many meditation practices. However the two forms of attention—focal and global—are directed in Deep Listening practice to sound/silence. An objective is to feel the sharp contrast between the two forms of attention—the clear detail of a sound or sequence of sounds using focal attention and the expansion to multiple sources sounding simultaneously in multi-dimensions with global attention. — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 189

Focal attention, like a lens, produces clear detail limited to the object of attention. Global attention is diffuse and continually expanding to take in the whole of the space/time continuum of sound. Sensitivity is to the flow of sounds and details are not necessarily clear. — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 191

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the focal/global attention distinction central to Deep Listening, core to the reader’s purpose.
• XREF: Connects to meditation and mindfulness distinctions between focused and open awareness. — connects to: Global listening expands consciousness while focal listening yields clarity — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 211; Focal and global attention feel radically different when directed to sound — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 189; Deep listening moves between vast sonic totality and targeted focus (+8 more)
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 189; Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 191

Broader Connections

• Global listening expands consciousness while focal listening yields clarity #expands (0.85) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 211
• Deep Listening expands to the whole soundscape while focusing on single sounds #expands (0.85) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 77
• Focal and global attention feel radically different when directed to sound #expands (0.80) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 189
• Deep listening moves between vast sonic totality and targeted focus #expands (0.75)
• Trailing a focused sound to its end returns one to global awareness #expands (0.70) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 187
• Attention strategies are ways of listening responsive to self, others, and environment #expands (0.65) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 284