I have written many posts on the importance and benefits of being present. But the question was always how to bring myself to the state of being present throughout the day, that is, when I’m not sitting on my pillow. Often I would try breathing exercises. Sometimes I would try and force myself to be present … usually not very successful.
The assumption was always that being present, like being aware, was virtually impossible to achieve on any consistent basis, let alone 24/7, unless one was enlightened because of the power of the ego-mind, regardless how disciplined my practice. Even in a recent post, I noted that unfortunately I was not present, fully engaged in my activities, throughout the day.
The other morning when I meditated I came upon a truth. Why is it so hard to be present? Because the mind has no faith and is worried about the future. But since I have found faith from within myself … not in any particular outcome, but just faith that all will be well regardless … and because I have found freedom from fear (mostly) because I have found the truth from within that fear is just a product of the mind, there is no reason for me not to be present.
This is an example where even though the underlying paradigm has changed, my mind was continuing it’s habit-energy. And so I realized that I needed to say to myself that there is no reason for me not to be present because I have faith and have no fear.
I did that during that day after my meditation and often during the following days. And it worked. I was able to be present, relaxed, and at peace. My mind ceased it’s endless “what if?” routine. And so I felt free.
The assumption was always that being present, like being aware, was virtually impossible to achieve on any consistent basis, let alone 24/7, unless one was enlightened because of the power of the ego-mind, regardless how disciplined my practice. Even in a recent post, I noted that unfortunately I was not present, fully engaged in my activities, throughout the day.
The other morning when I meditated I came upon a truth. Why is it so hard to be present? Because the mind has no faith and is worried about the future. But since I have found faith from within myself … not in any particular outcome, but just faith that all will be well regardless … and because I have found freedom from fear (mostly) because I have found the truth from within that fear is just a product of the mind, there is no reason for me not to be present.
This is an example where even though the underlying paradigm has changed, my mind was continuing it’s habit-energy. And so I realized that I needed to say to myself that there is no reason for me not to be present because I have faith and have no fear.
I did that during that day after my meditation and often during the following days. And it worked. I was able to be present, relaxed, and at peace. My mind ceased it’s endless “what if?” routine. And so I felt free.
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