Author Eckhart Tolle in his book, "The Power of Now", describes Presence as living fully in the moment, in the Now, without thoughts or feelings of past or future. Guy Finley, best selling author of "The Secret of Letting Go", says, "Being conscious of ourselves in the Present Moment is the key to all things good, not just for the better choices we can make for ourselves (because we can see more possibilities) - but because the more awake we are in the Now, the less likely we are to allow ourselves to be negatively compromised by our own past."
From my own experience, it is a profound state of being. Why? Because it prevents the past and the future from distracting our thoughts. In the incredible Present Moment, we have a clarity that defies description. It is rare for most people to discover the immense power of the experience, and believe me, it can be difficult to hold on to!
Dance
Magical things happen when you are Present. Your chattering mind is not regurgitating the past, nor is it fussing about a conjured up future.
Have you ever been suddenly struck by the beauty of a sunset, or the dancing sparkles of ice crystals in the sunshine, and just for that moment all thinking seemed to stop - ever so briefly? At that time, in that moment you were Present. Neither the past nor the future held your attention. There was simply a feeling of awe and appreciation.
Imagine being able to revisit that sensation at will. No thoughts of blame or guilt or anger (which are of the Past). No thoughts of doubt, worry or anxiety (which are of the Future). No stress, for it too is an illusion belonging in the future. Feeling stress may seem to be caused by what is going on now, but in fact the stressful situation has already been set up - in the past - and what presents itself is the delusion we create in our minds about the 'how' we'll deal with it. When we think of anything that we are going to have to deal with - that's future.
Only in the Now do we have control. We can choose our destiny in the Present Moment. What thoughts are we allowing in this moment? How are those thoughts affecting our physical body? When you pay attention to these things moment to moment, your Now is the chance you have to make change. Eckhart Tolle places strong emphasis on being deeply within the body to find Presence. Pay close attention to the feelings held in the body. Pay close attention to the inner promptings from inside yourself.
OK, so what do you do with that information? And how does it help you make a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself? Use the Present Moment to accept things as they are, including yourself. This is a surrender that what is simply IS. When you are in acceptance, you have stopped resistance. Resistance holds you back. Resistance limits you.
As soon as you accept all things the way they are, you take off limiting shackles and are much more creative in your thinking. You are able to take responsibility for your own life situation without guilt or blame. Once you are cleared of those hideous emotions, you can focus on the desires you hold most dear.
Having desires for a better future is not at odds with being fully Present in the Now. The Now is your gift from God, or the Universe, or All That Is, to lovingly plan, gratefully receive and fearlessly take action. Fear is based in the future. It is a delusion of what might happen. It has no life in the Present except that which you give it.
Faith is made of the same stuff as fear. It is yet another delusion about something happening in the future. Yet, Faith creates an entirely different physiological response in the body. Monitor your thoughts and your bodily reactions in the Now and you have your clue as to what your plans and actions should be.
The ego-mind wants to be right. It wants to defend itself, to blame and hold grudges. The ego-mind wants bigger, better, and more than others have. It wants control. It compares and judges to prove its worth. It will not willingly oblige when you flick the off-switch.
By this time, you can understand why it is so difficult to remain Present. The mind is constantly cluttering up the Now with thoughts of past and future. Use the Present Moment to focus on the needs of the present only, and you will glimpse the contentment and sense of peace that comes with feeling your Being and Awake to the possibilities for your life.
What you do and what you think in every Now is the destiny you are creating for yourself. The inherent beauty in each Moment is that you have the power to choose the wonders of your next Moment. Living in the Now is where happiness is born.
Copyright © 2007. Sylvia MacKenzie. All Rights Reserved.
The Now (Part 2 of 3): Is Your 'Presence' Absent?
Sylvia MacKenzie, formerly a Management Consultant specializing in marketing and promotional campaigns and investor relations campaigns, now finds deep satisfaction and fulfillment in her career as Personal Life Coach. Drawing upon more than 25 years of experience at teaching communications skills, coaching and mentoring youth and adults, she is currently developing personal growth resources and focuses on individual life transitions.
You can learn more about Sylvia at this link: [http://www.powerlife-solutions.com/about.html] This new and improved website is packed with Introductory offers not to be missed! Be sure to go to: [http://www.powerlife-solutions.com/newsletters.html] Excellent resources and tools for self-improvement, including how to put low self-worth behind you FOREVER!
mobile phone watches Best Buy Chippendale Fish Fork With Hollow Handle
No comments:
Post a Comment