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Living in the Now
How do we practice being present in each moment? Why would we want to? What does it really mean?
Being present to me means taking what is happening at this moment at face value. Letting go of the analysing, letting go of how I thought it should unfold, letting go of where I think it should lead.
We all come from a place of experiences. We have learned to THINK our way into, out of, and around every different situation and circumstance.
It is an interesting exercise to simply spend some time being acutely mindful of your thoughts.
A situation arises and we go into THINKING mode. "What made them say that?" we wonder, "Where did they come from?" What will they think, who will they tell, I wish I was more like them... thank goodness I'm not like them...
Eckhart Tolle encourages us to "be the observer" and to give up defining ourselves to ourselves or to others.
All examination or attempts to define you stem from one unconscious thought "I am not enough".
Most of our stories, what we tell ourselves and others as a result of what we THINK could all be put in a big box labelled "Why I cannot be at peace NOW".
We imagine that we cannot be at peace because of circumstances of our past - either recent or remote - or we hope we will be able to be at peace in the future if 'this changes or that happens or if I get something else.
But we CAN be at peace by making peace with the present moment. Being one with now. Tolle says "To create suffering without recognizing it - this is the essence of unconscious living; this is being totally in the grip of the ego."
I can suggest an exercise: Set a timer for 10 minutes. Soften your eyes, meaning either close your eyes or relax the eyelids to a point that you are not focusing on anything. Pay attention to every sound you hear - do not judge them as good or bad just be aware. There will likely be a combination of natural sounds, man-made or mechanical sounds, sounds that in the past you may have labelled as pleasant or unpleasant, but for this exercise you will just notice if you have a reaction and tell your mind to simple release the reaction. Let go of what you think it means and any judgement. In so doing you may notice as sense of calm, your are aware of the moment, you are in that space that time- past and present are not, it is from that place that one can glimpse inner peace.
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The more we practice, within the safe and supportive container of a workshop, and with active facilitation and coaching, the quicker we are able to change our habits. Present Moment Awareness will be one of the areas of focus in our upcoming group coaching program Women of Wonder. Watch for details to come in the next month in Peaceful Ponderings.
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Abundant Blessings: In this spot each newsletter I will feature a website I feel is worth checking out. They will be sites where you can share your abundant blessings. As we share our gifts with the world, our lives are enriched. This week you might want to check out the orphanage I will be staying at for part of my time in Peru! Casa de Milagros |
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