How to live in the NOW

[LightBeam]

I decided to make a post about mindfulness, because I see so many people around me either running ahead of life, or being left behind in their past. I catch myself sometimes doing this as well, but when I become aware and shift my thoughts, come back to the present moment and fully submerge myself within, the whole perception of life changes instantly. A lot of people are not even aware of this occurrence. Now, stop and think about what moment of the day have you fully experienced, observed and enjoyed without having rolling thoughts in the back of your mind about yesterday, or what are the plans for tomorrow? Sometimes we are given opportunities to experience wonderful events, but we fog them with constant worries, fears, etc.

Have you come back from a vacation and you wished you could do it all over again, but this time  enjoy certain moments in stillness, rather than worrying about flights, hotels, expenses, etc?

How many of you have actually stopped and analyzed a present moment with full awareness and have gotten so excited over your observations? I am asking this because I have noticed in my OBEs I am constantly in such a state. Here, not so much and I am trying to change that. But since I consciously started observing present moments, I feel happier and happier. Thing make more sense, life lessons become very transparent and challenges easy to overcome.

If you forget to stop and smell the roses, then write it down somewhere , so that you get reminded and with time it will become like a reflex. That will help those who are trying to AP to gain more lucidity during dreams. By spending time everyday to observe your surroundings, events, interactions (good or bad) your awareness will raise its frequency. And don't forget that the power is in the NOW.

[purpleTiger]

Good post, I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy little moments. Its so not easy to do though, as the good things are easy to forget....i had a lot of stress lately and started to just making a list of things on my phone that are good, even if its something small, and by the end of the day I read this least over again a few times. It helps.

[LightBeam]

/quote]

Sometimes stress and fear can overtake our lives and the best approach is to start counting our blessings. Also, when we take awareness to observe the present moment of a negative nature, we have a chance to analyze it better, identify the source and make a decision of how to solve the problem. There are challenges of different nature of course, some of them require acceptance (like I had to accept my father's death), some of them require action and bravery to make a change, some require hard work or to make a choice.
I hope things get better, purpleTiger! If you need to talk, we are always here You are doing good by writing good things down and keep reading them. An "escape" meditation would also help. Before you fall asleep, create a sanctuary and go there with your mind. Let it carry you into your dreams.......

[Eliaz]

"Be here now", by Ram Dass (http://it.scribd.com/doc/6531720/Ram-Dassbe-Here-Now) is a great book about living in the now. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to teach oneself on how to stop thinking about the past and the future. Simply start enjoying the only truthful moment we really have, which is right now. Float in the moment of now and you will float with the universe.

[Stillwater]

I think you have highlighted a core concept fairly well.

People think of meditation as a way to gain magic yogi powers, or develop abilities which will allow one to delve further into the spiritual, but they forget what it is at its very center and identity- the practice of learning to be, and not to need anything outside of the self to be profoundly content. People think of meditation as something which needs to be developed overtime over years or some such, but ironicly the greatest benefit it will ever provide is yours the first moment you grasp the basic concept.

You gain a whole new perception of the world, that is for sure.

For instance, take music for example...in present western society, it has sort of been relegated to a background affair, to accompany downtimes or various kinds of media; if one experiences music with a fullness of absorption, it can become a "religious" experience.

It is is the same with speaking and listening with others. Very few people actually communicate in such a way that they are passive of mind, and fully absorbed in contemplating what the other is saying, without intellectual or emotional interference. To truly listen to another's words is to adopt their perspective as your own. That is the true nature of communication, and something that seems rare today. When you speak to someone with total presence of mind... there is no mistaking it!

[phaseshiftR1111]

Lightbeam I couldn't agree more. It seems living in the past causes depression. Living in the future causes anxiety. What's funny is most of the time you worry about future things they never come true. Your mind creates things that never even happen.

Be present in nature is super beneficial to me.

[enlightnd]

Well said Defiantly agree, Theres so many distractions in this physical life its hard to remember where your going, Other times your caught up thinking far ahead or prior you forget what it is your actually doing and why. " Do i need to be doing this? I dont even like this. "

Taking the time to stop and gather my thoughts once in a while gives me great satisfaction. Then i can re-aline my thoughts and set off again in the correct direction.

Try and live in the present. Thats where you will be happiest most aware and clear minded.

[Ellis91]

In regards to mindfulness one of the most inspiring things for me is 'The peaceful warrior' by Dan Millman, a film/book I've seen mentioned around here a few times. The film is crammed with inthenowisms.

Often times when I decided I'd be spending most of the day attempting to stay in the present, I'd eat breakfast and totally forget all about it for at least 5 hours  To remedy this I started setting up an alarm that would make a short ring every 20 minutes and that wouldn't need snoozing. Eventually I'm guessing I won't need it and I'll remember to stay present at various times during the day.

It's a long road back to living

[Steve1234]

I would like to thank lightbeam for his post 
i'm 16, some days ago me and my first love decided to go apart, i cant describe in English how it felt, but i suppose all of you once had the same experience.
i had a hard time, but since i read your post, i gave it a try. it helped me to process my feelings. now, if i think back at the time we were together (staying in NOW all the time stays hard, so i still keep thinking back now and then.) it feels like i'm over it, i can let her go.

Thanks

greets
herat

[Xanth]

How many of you have actually stopped and analyzed a present moment with full awareness and have gotten so excited over your observations? I am asking this because I have noticed in my OBEs I am constantly in such a state.

It's funny, because that's exactly what you have to do in order to strengthen and stabilize your projections.  If this is something that someone does naturally, they could have extended non-physical experiences for... who knows how long.  Until they'd have to be forced to go to the bathroom!  ROFL

[Szaxx]

I was thinking the same thing too. In retrievals there's no time to drift off into mindless distraction, you have to think and be on the ball, constant analysis of the situation which brings you to the mindful potential above. Its totally dedicated to the quest at hand. In the physical this is not required the same. Too many lazy thoughts and the mindfulness fades into the distance, like living in a day-dream, the attention is lost, drifting into mental numbness.
Those who are mindful are most likely to be the successful ones on our planet. Who wants a friend that pays no attention and can't remember what you asked seconds ago?

@ Xanth, the extended experiences and the bathroom had me in stitches. I mis-read it initially. once the perspective was made clear it all fell into place.
100% ROFL.

[donkeykong]

Great post!

[madmagus]

I agree with your post.  It's quite amazing how if feels to simply follow your actions consciously and to be truly connected to Self.  I didn't really understand what it meant to be mindful until I stumbled on the fact that being in the moment meant being conscious of not just your actions in general but your intent specifically, the movement of your energy as an action takes place.  When you reach for a cup or flick off a light switch, you have to track your energy (metaphorically if you like) as it flows through your arm.  This directs your intent and attention, and truly puts you in the moment, puts you in the action so to speak.  Just casually watching the Now doesn't get you there.  Full involvement with the process of motion, the moment-to-moment accomplishment of intention, is required.  Thanks for the post.

[Lumaza]

Sadhguru  When you reach for a cup or flick off a light switch, you have to track your energy (metaphorically if you like) as it flows through your arm.  This directs your intent and attention, and truly puts you in the moment, puts you in the action so to speak.  Just casually watching the Now doesn't get you there.  Full involvement with the process of motion, the moment-to-moment accomplishment of intention, is required.  Thanks for the post.

You can also "etherically" reach for that cup or flick that light switch off and you will still feel the energy as if flows through your "etheric" arm. Get used to that kind of "disassociation" from the physical body and you will find it much easier to maneuver in the "non physical", when you find yourself there.

[madmagus]

Thanks Lumaza.  I do something similar.  When I sit down to meditate, at the very beginning where I'm still trying to get thuroughly relaxed, I mentally project into the room.  I wander through the house, focusing heavily on various items in an attempt to bring them into 3D/HD focus.  I see this as my practice that is similar to what you describe.  I believe this practice will come in quite handy when I eventually acquire the ability to immediately drop into Theta state and project at will.  I believe that to be entirely possible with practice.  Thanks again for the response.

[Frostytraveler]

To be mindful to me, is to live purely in the present and not the past or future. This is a state of experiencing the present and being content with it, (good, challenging or indifferent) with no overly critical thinking that plunges us into worry, concern, guilt or regret past or present or future. It seems odd, but in some ways, mindfulness is a state of no mind.  The constant revisiting of the past and concerns for the future pollute the present and bring us into a state of what I call "causal looping". This only degrades our appreciation for the present moment. If we are not careful, the logical analytical mind can get us into trouble.

I agree with LB, when I am in a deep meditation, in an OBE or in an AP I am in this state. This state can also be entered into with various sports and activities, especially at advanced levels. It also can be entered into with a long walk in the woods, a walk down a city street or even a nice exercise workout. To the contrary, a golfer who is having a bad round, and is whining, upset comparing his present performance to the past, and worrying about his future in the sport is the polar opposite state than that of mindfulness. Do you think the golfer is mindful of the beautiful day, content in the moment, with appreciation of his life, health and fact that that he is playing the sport he loves? Obviously not. Perhaps if he didn't fall into the trap of such comparison and analysis he would have turned things around and had a wonderful day.

Bruce Lee made a very powerful mindfulness analogy when he compared it to water. "Empty your Mind and be water". Water flows and is manipulated by objects it comes into contact with. It lives and is shaped in the present. The future and past are irrelevant to water. Bruce was making this analogy to address the importance and need to dissolve one's ego self, where you can then observe every situation and experience in the present. You in essence become and live in the present, just as water "becomes the teapot". Water is formless and only takes form in the present moment as it observes, experiences and is influenced by its surroundings.  It does this without judgment and over analysis. Water is not concerned about what shapes or trajectories it has taken in the past or what it will take in the future. Lastly, Bruce says "water can flow or crash". The emptying of your mind in martial arts is when one enters "the flow state". This flow state is where all analysis is gone, one lives in the moment, a feeling of oneness takes over, and ironically performance is peaked. The water crashing state is the polar opposite.

There is a lot we can learn from this water analogy as it applies to life in general as well, but being mindful in the present is something to always be aware of and work on.


https://youtube.com/shorts/pKsMLmF74Ys?si=UU1mtBsFbvXwfo1b

[Frostytraveler]

I would like to make an important follow up post. When I posted the above on Sept 29, this had a ripple effect on my spiritual progress. I asked God to show me something very meaningful or take me somewhere of importance to assist in my progress. I asked this because I have been getting lots of interim tests lately, which is fine, but I thought I was ready for another leap forward.

Well, that night I projected into the past meeting one dark individual who apparently I had not completely forgiven and another interest of which I harbored some regret. The following night, another projection meeting an individual from my distant past where there was some level of additional forgiveness needed. When we think we have sorted the past out and are living (for the most part) in the moment, spirit has a way of rearing its head and giving us a nudge towards unfinished business. Only then can we move forward.

It goes to show you how posting a new thread, responding to posts, and even passive reading on The Pulse "directly" impacts all aspects of ourselves. Everything is connected, including us.

[LightBeam]

It goes to show you how posting a new thread, responding to posts, and even passive reading on The Pulse "directly" impacts all aspects of ourselves. Everything is connected, including us.

It truly does! That's why I post as often as I can whatever comes to mind, even if no one is interested in reading or responding. I notice that my own personal reality and growth are affected in a very positive way. It's sort of journaling, and not only for experiences, but for any philosophical thoughts that come to mind.

[tides2dust]

Just to throw a wrench in our barrel of monkeys here...
Can we speculate-

What is the now to one not confined by linear time?

Or is that understanding for a different life?

The past and the future- are they alive?

I just saw a pale ladybug as I went outside to enjoy the moment.

The ladybug has a rich meaning in my past and so, it carries a special message in the future. I have learned over time, as a personal expression, it is a form of Divine Messenger.

It was in a dream, my grandparent placed a ladybug in my palm. The same dream I uttered the words, "I am Sufi" not knowing in the present what the word meant until having looked it up afterwards.

That intelligence(not bound by linear time) to me is somehow indicative of the *now we are describing as it relates to *feeling present

Even though that intelligence is using our personal experience(past included) to communicate with us.

I suppose I am suggesting that the Now does not necessarily mean we are talking about time alone(past/present/future). But that the *now we are desiring might be something more since it contains all of these.

Living Spirit used my past to speak to me and make me alive to the moment...

And there are moments where I see a ladybug and do not feel the same. So who or what is bringing me to this state of *now ??
(Divine Messenger)
It is a relationship-

[Frostytraveler]

I do understand the concept that time is not linear in the multiverse. So perhaps that applies when looking at all lives in unison, or perhaps when describing time in the higher planes. As it pertains to my present life, a microcosm approach, as it influences the here and now, time is very much alive past, present and future. Delving into and reflecting on the past can supplement the present in a good way, but often it doesn't as humans tend to reflect on negative experiences more often, which is unfortunate. Same with fear or concern for the future.

If we can control the negativity and focus on relevant neutral or positive reflections past, present and future, then it's a win-win. If not, then living in the present appears to be "the safer place" to be. If processing past experiences properly, i.e. limiting regrets, and forgiving those that need to be forgiven etc...then perhaps reflecting on the past is no longer negative, and less often needed. Once again, positive and relevant reflections on past events can bring additional and positive meaning to the present. That is just my thoughts, and based on my experiences. Very curious what LB has to say about your question.

[LightBeam]

Excellent point, Tides! Yes, everything exists simultaneously from the highest point of view of All That Is. I was referring experiencing the now from a personality's perspective, where the experience of time is real. Technically an illusion, but the experience is real. That very experience is what I am speaking of. Although we as physical personalities can think and recall other events, we are only capable of actually experiencing one frame at a time. This illusion of time was created by consciousness to be able to experience continuity and a story to be able to rediscover itself from different points of views. Just like turning your TV. Even if you are able to play several channels at the same time on your TV, are you able to focus equally on all programs with the same attention and perceive all the details from all channels. Probably not. What we typically do is turn one program at a time. If we watch one program, but keep thinking what the other programs are, were or will be, we miss the details of what is currently running in front of our eyes. That's my point. Don't miss to observe your current program with all of its details, because it is in front of your eyes for a reason. 

[LightBeam]

I wanted to add a little more to the story.
I absolutely LOVE revisiting with my mind sweet memories, even during APs, I often go back to my childhood home and experience wonderful times with my family and neighbors. Well, during AP this is my main focus at that time, so I can say it is the Now for my experience, because I am actually experiencing it first hand.
Anyway, daydreaming, feeling what would feel to be or have something that hasn't come to frame yet is also very wonderful. Anticipation of something gives us joy as well. But that anticipation is also part of the present moment and we are submerged in it, feeling it in the now. These are examples for joyful experiences with gratitude that involve past or anticipated future events, and when used in a balanced way, they create positive expressions. But we have to know how much of it to pull into the current frame so that we don't constantly occupy the past or the future and forget to live. Even meditation or focus too long into something that is not the physical present throws off the balance.

Here are examples of unhealthy use of the ability of the mind to wander through time and space: (not my story, but this is a common typical day for many people)
I wake up in the morning, thinking about what's going to happen at work today. I dont even remember how did I brush my teeth, how did I get dressed. It was all automatic. My mind was occupied about work, will there be any traffic, what will I eat for lunch. Then lunch comes and while I am eating I am thinking what should I cook for dinner. I am sitting with my co-workers in the break room. Everyone is talking and laughing and I am on my phone checking Instagram and Facebook. I missed the enjoyable time with people, and instead I am scrolling like a maniac out of habit that creates more anxiety (people are not even aware of it) than enjoinment. Then I get home, I am eating dinner, and my mind was on that presentation that went really bad today. I missed to enjoy the flavors of the food and to create a timeless pocket just for myself to submerge into that moment, appreciate that I actually have food, as many people don't, to appreciate my beautiful house, to give attention to my co-workers and enjoy their companionship. Not to mention when people go on vacations, they keep scrolling their phones and they barely notice the beauty around them. Then when they get home they start looking at photos and trying to catch that enjoinment through the images, but the moment had already passed. They missed to submerge into that moment and extract every ounce of joy out of it while it lasts.

This year when I was on vacation, I got into the warm sea knees deep. The waves were gently splashing. My feet were half buried in the sea floor. I felt nature as part of me. I observed the vastness of the water, I felt its power. The sounds of the seagulls and the people laughing and enjoying themselves, the sound of the waves, all that formed one incredible moment of blissful joy. I truly felt I was IN the now with full force. The feeling of gratitude was dominating strongly and at times I could not even comprehend that much joy. I felt that my mind was too small to contain what I was feeling. 

[tides2dust]

It sounds like mind and consciousness may not be the same thing.

[LightBeam]

It sounds like mind and consciousness may not be the same thing.

In my view everything is consciousness, the only difference is perception

[Frostytraveler]

LB, when I go to the snowy mountains to ski, I feel exactly how you did at your vacation by the sea. It is just so peaceful, beautiful and serene up there. It is easier to live in the moment while in these settings. I also get this experience when I am in a long hike in the woods or by/on the ocean. When the environment get too congested and touristy it pulls me out of the moment.