Future fears

This article is inspired by a few conversations the author recently had with friends, as well as his own experiences.

This specific topic is something that generally bothers us throughout our lives. It is something that "veils" our peaceful Presence, and therefore worth exploring in more detail. 

Let's have a closer look at our fears about the future.

The idea

Before we look at the fears, let's first look at our direct, first-hand experience. Have we ever experienced the future? Or, do we simply always experience the now? 

Ideas, plans, dreams, and troubles about the so-called future, always happen in the present moment. We experience them in the here and now, as they appear in our awareness. 

So, can we say that the future actually exists? Is it real? Or, does the idea about the future exist? Yet, we easily get consumed by this "future", especially with fears about the "unknown future".

Let's consider this for a moment...

A seed

For a better understanding, we can illustrate this topic in the following way. Let's say we have just planted an Orange seed. Now, what do we do next?

We may observe, and see if it needs more moistness. We may place some protection around the area where the seed was planted. We may water the area a bit, or take a selfie and post it on social media to share what we just did!

What we do not do, is sharpen our axe to cut some firewood from the orange tree. We also do not start to unpack the ingredients to make some orange marmalade. Right? Neither do we tell our friends that we have oranges. 

At this point, we do not even know if our seed will sprout, or if it will bear fruit. Realistically, we can only deal with what is in front of us - the wet soil and the hopeful seed, planted beneath.

Who knows

Now, let's consider what we call our "future problems". We may get stressed out when we wonder if we will get a decent job after finishing our studies. And, if we get this job, will we be good enough at it? Will we have to compete with others to keep this job? 

We may worry about being late for our bus, but we don't know if the bus itself will be late too, or if it will even be there at all!

More so, we may worry about whether we will be able to finish a certain project, if we will be able to get a promotion, or if our visa will be approved. We may worry if we will make a good husband or wife, or a good parent. 

We may wonder if we will "be okay" if we do this, instead of that. Who knows?

How many times have we, so precisely, made future plans, only for things to go completely different?

See...?

We can only take care of what is in front of us, in the present moment. If we act with selflessness, and consider what is best for the whole, at this present moment, then we have nothing to be afraid of.

A projection

Because the future is not real, we also cannot control it. How can we control something that does not exist? 

Let's go back to the second piece of this article, where we said that the ideas and plans of the future are happening in the present moment. The Presence, in which these ideas arise, is our True Nature, our Self.

Our True Nature is timeless. It, or rather, We, are always here and now, and precede all ideas, dreams, plans, and so on.

See, we are not this body-mind-personality concept, that we mentally project in the past or in the future. We are the peaceful Presence in which all of these appear!

Let's consider this, and let's become aware of the "future-fears" that we so often entangle our awareness in.

The idea of the distant future may seem far away, but it is simply an idea, appearing in the Present. 

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