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Without attentiveness, you will accomplish nothing properly, even in the ordinary affairs of life. In the spiritual life, attentiveness is even more essential—it is the very first requirement. It detects evil and brings it before the inner judgment. It stands guard over the inner palace where decisions are made about what ought to be done and how it should be done, and then it watches over the execution of those decisions.
For this reason, it is no surprise that the spiritual life in its entirety is called a life of watchfulness (nepsis). In the writings of the Holy Fathers, you will find more about watchfulness—or attentiveness—than almost anything else, for the two are one and the same.
It is of the greatest value to acquire the habit of attentiveness. It is the first labor of those who have resolved to care for their souls. Their struggle begins to bear fruit from the moment their attention starts to gather itself inward. Ordinarily, our attention is scattered outside ourselves rather than within. But from the moment it is collected inward, the inner life begins. Together with watchfulness, that inner life matures and grows stronger.
What does this mean? It means to stand with the mind in the heart before the Lord, consciously remaining in His presence, and from there to examine every thought and undertake every action. Such a way of life is, of course, not acquired all at once. It matures together with prayer. As prayer strengthens this watchfulness, so watchfulness, in turn, strengthens prayer.