In previous articles on this blog and probably outside of this blog too, we may often hear or read about being in the present moment, being in the here and now.
We hear or read about how being in the present moment brings us peace and happiness, and how the here and now is all that there is. However, there seems to be more to it than just being in the 'now'.
We may have tried to be present all the time, trying to stop thinking, not to pay attention to any thoughts or any objects, but this seems to be nearly impossible, and therefore leaves us frustrated or irritated. Does this sound familiar? At least from the author's side, this was the experience.
So, why is it that we seem to struggle so much to simply be present? When we read about this, it may seem like the most simple thing to do, but yet we struggle so much. How do we do this, how do we remain in the here and now?
Let's explore!
So, we identify as this mind-body, and then we try to remain present... and it doesn't happen. Why?
Our basis of identification, when identifying as the body-mind, is already bound to change and impermanence. The mind is changing all the time, one thought happening after the next one, spontaneously. Since we are not the thinker of our thoughts, we cannot decide when to stop them. We can simply observe them coming and going.
In this sense, we are always in the here and now, we are always present. Our peaceful presence merely seems to be veiled by thoughts, experiences, and emotions, but as soon as we become aware of our True Nature, we realize that we were never anywhere else besides the present moment. We have never been anywhere else besides here and now.
Related articles on this blog:
The monkey mind - 21 March, 2021
Carried away from the present moment - 28 February, 2021
Thinking, thinking, overthinking - 29 November, 2021
We hear or read about how being in the present moment brings us peace and happiness, and how the here and now is all that there is. However, there seems to be more to it than just being in the 'now'.
We may have tried to be present all the time, trying to stop thinking, not to pay attention to any thoughts or any objects, but this seems to be nearly impossible, and therefore leaves us frustrated or irritated. Does this sound familiar? At least from the author's side, this was the experience.
So, why is it that we seem to struggle so much to simply be present? When we read about this, it may seem like the most simple thing to do, but yet we struggle so much. How do we do this, how do we remain in the here and now?
Let's explore!
A misunderstanding
When we are trying to be in the present moment, trying to be here and now, we need to be clear on the following. Who or what is the 'me' or the 'I' that is attempting to be in the present moment? When we investigate this, we realize that we are probably referring to the person we think we are, the combination of the mind and body, or the mind-body.So, we identify as this mind-body, and then we try to remain present... and it doesn't happen. Why?
Our basis of identification, when identifying as the body-mind, is already bound to change and impermanence. The mind is changing all the time, one thought happening after the next one, spontaneously. Since we are not the thinker of our thoughts, we cannot decide when to stop them. We can simply observe them coming and going.
The same happens with the body. Now it is itching here, a pain there, the need to move this limb, the need to visit the toilet. See, the mind and body can never be in a permanent state of complete and total stillness or silence, because they are ever-changing phenomena.
Considering this, we may feel that it is impossible to just be present.
Now, what if we took a different approach, what if we start off from the other side? What if we approach this 'process' in reverse order? Instead of going to the here and now, we start from the here and now...
Our True Nature is always present. Thus, we are present while thoughts are appearing in the mind, and even in the absence of objects to observe and experience.
Instead of trying to manipulate and force the body-mind to remain quiet and in the present, why don't we simply abide in the Self?
Instead of the mind trying to wrestle itself into stillness, why don't we simply bring our attention back to Awareness, and observe whatever arises, in silence?
Being present doesn't mean that we are forcing the mind to stay quiet. On the contrary. When we bring our attention back to the Source, it is nearly as if the mind calms down spontaneously, and our peaceful nature comes to the surface. Experience still happens, thoughts still appear, but we observe them as they arise, in the here and now.
Considering this, we may feel that it is impossible to just be present.
Now, what if we took a different approach, what if we start off from the other side? What if we approach this 'process' in reverse order? Instead of going to the here and now, we start from the here and now...
The only 'time' is now
When we realize that we are the Clear Light that illuminates the mind, the ever-present Awareness which remains in the background, observing, witnessing, we know that we never change. We remain the same. Silent, peaceful, absence of lack, absence of suffering, beyond the limitations of time and space, name and form. We are simply present, clear, knowing.Our True Nature is always present. Thus, we are present while thoughts are appearing in the mind, and even in the absence of objects to observe and experience.
Instead of trying to manipulate and force the body-mind to remain quiet and in the present, why don't we simply abide in the Self?
Instead of the mind trying to wrestle itself into stillness, why don't we simply bring our attention back to Awareness, and observe whatever arises, in silence?
Being present doesn't mean that we are forcing the mind to stay quiet. On the contrary. When we bring our attention back to the Source, it is nearly as if the mind calms down spontaneously, and our peaceful nature comes to the surface. Experience still happens, thoughts still appear, but we observe them as they arise, in the here and now.
In this sense, we are always in the here and now, we are always present. Our peaceful presence merely seems to be veiled by thoughts, experiences, and emotions, but as soon as we become aware of our True Nature, we realize that we were never anywhere else besides the present moment. We have never been anywhere else besides here and now.
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| We get so distracted by the flowers, the flags, and the temple, that we fail to notice the blue sky which always remains in the background. |
Related articles on this blog:
The monkey mind - 21 March, 2021
Carried away from the present moment - 28 February, 2021
Thinking, thinking, overthinking - 29 November, 2021
Well done Anrich! 👏
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annika.
DeleteLots of Love and Hugs. :)