Living in the now moment gets a lot of air time in psycho-spiritual circles as an antidote to mindlessness that characterizes our default attention practice. Personally, I recognize how much of a time traveler I am, visiting the past, projecting my attention into future possibilities and possible outcomes. I know this human tendency very well, and yet I am becoming more aware of how costly are these trips away from the present moment. Unless I am "here and now" with my awareness, I have no choice but to react from my conditioned mind. However, in those moments when I can keep my attention in the present moment, my perception is finer, and I have room to pivot. In that state of clarity, I am much more likely to see what is really going on, without the story, and generate insights that lead me to the pearls of life.
Presence is full awareness of our Being; our divine essence experienced through the portal of the present moment. The awareness of Presence will bring us back into the fold of equanimity for all manner of life's distractions. Small or great, for there are no levels of difficulty in the healing power of Presence. Presence is closer than hands or feet, nearer than our breath. And that is the very irony of our default behavior which sends us backward and forward, hither and yon to find the place that is imminently close. Never mind that the past is gone, and we can't change it, and the future hasn't taken place, we nonetheless seek to dwell in those imagined places in mind, rather than occupying the only moment we do occupy - the moment that is now.
You and I are here for a reason. The reason is, to Be here. Being here is the clarion call of the infinite Presence calling us back to life, to wholeness, to peace and beauty. The present moment is the portal to the life we have been seeking over there, someday and somewhere. That life has arrived. Now is the time for us to cease from seeking the good life in form, and discover the fullness of Divine life that is within us here and now. You have this precious moment. No more time guarantees are given.
When we call off the search, stop resisting with mind and body, and bring our whole being into the fold of the present moment, we are back in the abode of wholeness and peace - even when life derails our plans. This is good news - we can get there from here.
I will be speaking on this topic today at Unity in the Olympics. Here is the zoom link if you would like to tune in.
With you always, in the eternal now,
Rev. Larry
Comments