I've studied ancient spiritual wisdom as well as the teachings of modern mystics and they all mention the value of "being present." I understand the concept. To me, being present is having your full focus, attention, thoughts and feelings on the person or situation right there, in the moment you are experiencing.
Yeah, that's easy enough to do.
Not. Even. Close.
I mean, come on...do those mystics deal with family issues, car accidents, health scares and financial problems? These are just a few of the real-life events clients talked with me about last week. They’re facing challenges and doing their best to live from their own divine core while they face the uncertainly of life as a human.
That’s exactly what mystics do. They understand our challenge is to be anchored in love while we live our daily lives. Why? The rewards include less stress, more confidence, a feeling of being in flow with life and feeling “on purpose.” Add to that a happier, more joyful life experience, a sense of oneness and desire to be in service all while enjoying a sense of deep peace. And there’s more…people who consistently live in the present moment have described feeling “more freedom.”
I know when I’m focused on the present moment, I’m free of stress created by my relentless rehashing of the past and free from worry about the future. That’s when I’m best able to align with my inner wisdom, and fully receive the guidance that leads me to the life I’m here to live. I’m guided to love, to service and back to the truest part of me.
Is that easy? While I believe it can be, it hasn’t been for me.
I have a long way to go to consistently be present and yet I’m daily reaping the rewards of my efforts. A life dedicated to love is far happier than the one I used to live that seemed to be dedicated to stress, overwhelm and worry. Go figure…
If
you want to be more present, here are a few tips to try:
·
Commit
to a daily spiritual practice:
I recommend starting the day with what I call “the 3 M’s” to incorporate mind,
body and spirit. Total time spent is up to you…start with a few minutes on each
and work up to a more substantial routine. Yes, you have time for this:
.1.
Meditation:
Even starting with five to ten minutes a
day can make a huge difference in your ability to feel calm, happy and more
present in your life. If you’re new to meditation, check out free apps like CALM
or INSIGHT TIMER.
.2.
Motivate:
Turn off the news, put down your phone and read or listen to something that
inspires and motivates you. I start the day with the daily lesson from A Course
in Miracles plus time reading an inspiring book.
.3.
Move:
Stretch, do a few yoga poses, walk or go up and down the stairs to bring awareness
to your body first thing in the morning.
·
Ask
questions when you feel
overwhelmed or stressed in a situation. Questions could include:
.1.
What
do I really know to be true, right now, in this moment? Is that really true?
.2.
What’s
it like to be me in this situation at this instant? What would it be like to be
a happier, more peaceful and trusting version of me right now?
.3.
Where
are my feet? (I love this one that I learned from my mentor, Robert Holden. It
brings me out of your head and back into my body every time.)
·
Get
back to nature: Any
time it’s possible, take a mindful walk in nature. Relax. Breathe. If that’s
not possible, bring fresh flowers into the house or office, pet your cat or
take a break and look at nature photos. All will help shift your brain chemistry
and bring you into the present. Whatever you do, be mindful of the activity and
give it your full attention and focus.
·
Heart
Breath: My number one
way to be present is to imagine breathing in and out of my heart space. I teach
clients to breathe love in the back of their heart and radiate love out of the
front. Start with at least five repetitions.
