OUR lives and our minds are so busy. Busy getting somewhere in our physical day with the believe that if we get so much done in one day then we will feel better in our minds.
Our thoughts are in loop, meaning we have the same thoughts today as yesterday and those are the same thoughts as the day before.
We are conditioned by action and thought to be striving forward. While striving forward is positive and constructive, are we getting to the destination of achieving being anywhere in action or thought?
For years working, having a house to run and children with activities, I was always on treadmill of life in action and thought. I would constantly ask myself; ‘what else can I do now to have more time at the weekend?’ The chop chop of life, getting children to school, sports gear, lunches, dinners, laundry, house work and family commitments.
We are distracted, preoccupied or absent minded.
We can be dwelling on the past too much, if only I had my time over again. Perhaps worrying about the future – how will everything work out? We become lost in our thought that takes us away from our current experience.
In mindfulness it is described as being unaware and unfocused. “Wherever you are, be there totally” – Eckhart Tolle.
Eckhart Tolle has written a book on this very subject, the most popular being “The Power of Now”. His profound yet simple teaching has helped countless people around the world experience a state of vibrantly alive inner peace in their daily lives. His teaching focuses on the importance of the significance of presence, the awakened state of consciousness, which transcends ego and discursive thinking.
Again, this all leads to mindfulness and awareness to become aware! Aware of what does it mean to be present – being present means fully engaging with and experiencing the current moment without distractions or judgment. It involves focusing your attention on what’s happening right now, whether it’s a conversation, task or simply being mindful, not lost in thought about the past or future, but being grounded in the here and now. This can lead to deeper connections, better decision making and a sense of calm.
Pick a task like brushing your teeth, filling the dishwasher, driving, walking, having a conversation, listening to someone talk or whatever you decide it to be and make a decision for the next week that you are going to be totally and completely in the moment when you are engaging with that task. Clear your mind just observe yourself, be totally immersed in the present moment. How might that feel? Try it. You might be surprised!
Being present feels like a deep sense of focus and clarity. It is as if all the noise of the past and future fades away and your attention is fully absorbed by the current moment. You feel a heightened awareness of your senses, what you see hear, smell and feel become more vivid. It can bring a sense of calm, peace and even joy, because you are not distracted or overwhelmed by anything outside of what’s directly in front of you. Time slows down and you become more attuned to your inner world and the world around you. It’s associated with the feeling of being grounded or centred.
Anything we try for the first time is not always simple, the truth of it is that like anything it is something we must learn but when we get a glimpse of being present, we want more of it. Life is truly a journey and not a destination. Some days are easier than others.
At the clinic one of the affirmations, I recommend is “I will go through this day feeling calm and ease, and I will notice small moments of joy.”
When we intend something into our day, we open up our awareness to see and feel it. To experience a moment might be someone asking you how was your day, or you may see two people holding hands or someone might smile at you. These small moments of joy perhaps are the essence of the present moment.
Good Luck on your journey – Be present!
“The present moment is the gift, that’s why it’s called the present”
