Being In the Present

Doesn't mean you don't learn from the past, or plan for the future, but there's no need to fret yourself that things weren't as they were, aren't as they are, or might be worse. Simply to LIVE without giving yourself those headaches, and therefore to have the free consciousness to be able to perceive what is, to be grateful and be happy.

And as Leo Buscaglia says, "Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized."

Getting the picture, rather than agreeing or disagreeing, liking or not liking. Then, uninfluenced by fears, responding consciously rather than reacting.

When we make time for the things that support us - like meditation and exercise - we can better handle everything else in the day more effectively, and more than make up that time.

As I see it not all of our thoughts originate in the brain. The brain is a transducer between our external mind and the body's nervous system. Where the external thoughts originate from is a non-verbal, aware mindfulness - intuition and intention, with free will. However, the majority of brain activity is programmed or reactive internal processing, without free will. That's how we're able to function as a body-mind with complex lives… but we can always change these programs and reactions by choosing afresh, in the present, consciously.

The mantra "Live in the present" is so easily misunderstood. Cats and cows live totally in the present, so they don't get bored and sit fretting. But we humans have an additional timeline dimension to our minds that offers us perspective. There's a lot to be gained from the past - experience, learning and pleasurable memories on the plus side; or to hold us back - regret, not forgiving and resentment, for example, on the negative side. There's a lot to be gained from the future too - hopes and plans on the plus side, or worry and despair on the negative.

Writers like Eckardt Tolle that emphasize the power of the now, living in the moment, are not saying there aren't benefits to being conscious of the past and future, they're pointing out the pitfalls... that not being able to be in the now is problematic. Not being able to be consciously aware in the moment - because of attention being fixated by regrets and fears - denies us appreciation of our environment. It makes gratitude and the freedom to be creative much harder. And it makes us too focused on the Ego's weaknesses. It denies us the ability to be mindful, i.e. consciously a witness of our mind, so that we can see past our attachments to the past and delusions about the future.

So we can take take full advantage of past, present and future - or let one or all of them drag us down.

Acceptance of the present moment is the only way we can experience true peace and contentment. We can continuously yearn for or be stuck in the past or anxious for what the future holds yet really when we come into the present moment we can be aware of what is available and truly experience life. Continues...

The hustle and bustle of today's fast-paced world almost makes you want to cry out, "Where can I find some peace and quiet?" Meditation has become a very popular answer to the need for balance in today's fast-moving society. Meditation was designed primarily for spiritual development, rather than mental or physical benefits. However, by nourishing the spiritual self, its benefits are then reflected throughout the human mind and body. Continues...