It’s natural to cast our mind forward or back – recalling good times or dreaming of the future. Mental time-travel can be emotionally enriching. So what if you considered that the past and future don’t really exist, other than as concepts? When we actually experience the future and the past, we experience it as the present. There only ever is the moment now – to perceive, to feel, to see, to hear, to taste, to smell. Focusing more on the present moment is one of the most powerful, yet simple, things you can do lead a fulfilling life.
Additionally, our mind’s ponderings on the future and the past can be as unsettling and draining as they can be exciting. It is a common human tendency to dwell on regrets or negative events from the past, or to worry about what might happen in the future. The result: an exhausting sense of ‘busyness’, anxiety and wasted energy. Unburden yourself by redirecting your attention more usefully towards the here and now, thus cutting through those stress-inducing mechanisms of mind.
One classic way of bringing your attention into the present (and training presence) is focusing on your breath, paying attention to each rise and fall as its own unique moment in time. Equally, you can bring yourself into the present by paying closer attention to what is going on right now eg being more aware of the activity you are currently undertaking. ‘Here I am sitting, reading this blog post.’ Often we are involved in one activity while our minds are elsewhere.
Tune into each sense in turn to connect yourself further to this moment now. Maybe do this now. *** Stop and listen. Tune in. What can you hear? *** You can engage with the other senses in turn, in this way.
The power of being present:
- You simplify and create calm by just being here (and not everywhere else in your mind).
- You focus on the task in hand and get more done.
- You listen more intently and meaningfully to others – really understanding where they’re coming from and making them feel valued and respected.
- You notice yourself more, eg how you feel, the messages from your body. So, you can better respond to your own needs.
- You pick up more accurate information about what is going on in a particular moment or situation.
- Your observation and intuition become sharper.
- You get more sensory pleasure out of everyday experiences – savouring your food, noticing architectural details as you walk down the street, finding greater appreciation in the things around you.
- You see the actuality of what is happening more clearly, uncluttered by perceptions of what is happening. This clear-seeing leads to wisdom.
- You become more open to new possibilities, the uniqueness of each moment and greater creativity, being less encumbered by preconceptions, or by the past and the future.
- You are present for the only moment that ever is!
As a very wise Cherokee Indian once said,
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
Learning mindfulness meditation helps you to be more present – this brings many benefits. You can learn meditation with Tall Spaghetti. Give me a call on 07876 495 968 and I’ll talk you through your options or fill in the quick contact form.