In "Mindfulness in Plain English," Henepola Gunaratana explains that deep concentration can alter our mental processes by decelerating thoughts while simultaneously heightening our awareness of them. This dual effect allows individuals to gain a clearer and more detailed perspective on their own thinking patterns.
The author likens concentration to a microscope, stating that it enables us to scrutinize our internal states with greater clarity. By cultivating this focused attention, we can better understand and analyze our thoughts, leading to improved mindfulness and self-awareness.