Realizing the Power of Now

1. The Power of Now: Embracing the Present Moment

If there is not any such thing as a long time, nor the rest of our lives, nor from now on, but there's only now, why then now is the thing to praise?

The essence of presence is recognizing that the present moment is all we ever have. The now is not just a concept but a state of being that transcends time. It is the foundation of all spiritual teachings and the key to inner peace and awakening.

Practical applications:

• Focus on your breath or bodily sensations to anchor yourself in the present
• Observe your thoughts without judgment, recognizing them as separate from your true self
• Practice mindfulness in everyday activities, such as walking, eating, or listening

By consistently returning to the now, we can break free from the mind's tendency to dwell on the past or worry about the future, allowing us to experience life more fully and authentically.

2. Space Consciousness: Moving Beyond Object Consciousness

The world consists of things. You can look, it's so obvious. There are things in space, and there's the vastness of space.

Space consciousness refers to the awareness of the space or stillness that underlies all forms and phenomena. It is a shift from being solely identified with objects, thoughts, and experiences (object consciousness) to recognizing the vast, formless awareness in which everything arises.

Key aspects of space consciousness:

• Recognizing the space between thoughts
• Being aware of the silence beneath sounds
• Sensing the aliveness or presence within and around physical objects

Cultivating space consciousness allows us to experience a deeper dimension of reality and our true nature. It provides a sense of peace and freedom that is not dependent on external circumstances or achievements.

3. The Illusion of the Ego and the Mind-Made Self

The little me is never quite enough.

The ego is a construct of the mind, a false sense of self built on thoughts, memories, and identifications. It is characterized by a constant sense of lack and the need for more to feel complete.

Characteristics of the egoic mind:

• Continuous self-referencing thoughts
• Compulsive need for validation and recognition
• Fear-based decision making
• Resistance to the present moment

Recognizing the illusory nature of the ego is a crucial step in awakening. By observing our thoughts and reactions without identifying with them, we can begin to dismantle the ego's hold on our consciousness and experience our true essence beyond the mind-made self.

4. Acceptance and Allowing: The Path to Inner Peace

Allowing means you also relinquish the interpretation or if an automatic interpretation is still running in your mind, you recognize it as the tape that is still running in your mind or the CD that is still running.

Acceptance is not passive resignation but a powerful act of aligning with reality as it is. By allowing the present moment to be as it is, we transcend the mind's tendency to resist or fight against what is, which is the root cause of much suffering.

Steps to practice acceptance:

1. Observe your inner resistance to the present situation
2. Acknowledge any emotions or thoughts without judgment
3. Consciously choose to accept the reality of this moment
4. Feel the shift in energy as you let go of resistance

Through consistent practice of acceptance, we can find peace even in challenging situations and open ourselves to the wisdom and opportunities that each moment offers.

5. Conscious Suffering: Transforming Pain into Awakening

Conscious acceptance of pain is a very quick transmutation that happens.

Pain becomes suffering when we resist it or create a story around it. Conscious suffering involves facing our pain directly, without mental elaboration or avoidance, allowing it to become a catalyst for spiritual growth.

The process of conscious suffering:

1. Recognize the pain or discomfort
2. Bring full attention to the physical sensation or emotion
3. Allow it to be there without trying to change or escape it
4. Observe any thoughts or stories arising around the pain
5. Stay present with the raw experience

By embracing our pain consciously, we can transmute it into presence and awareness, leading to profound inner transformation and freedom from habitual patterns of suffering.

6. Breaking Free from Compulsive Thinking

The degree of absence of thought is the measure of progress on your spiritual path.

Compulsive thinking is a primary obstacle to presence and inner peace. Breaking free from the incessant stream of thoughts allows us to experience the deeper dimensions of our being and reality.

Techniques to reduce compulsive thinking:

• Practice mindfulness meditation
• Use breath awareness as an anchor
• Engage in activities that require full attention
• Observe thoughts without judgment or engagement
• Cultivate inner body awareness

As we create gaps in our stream of thoughts, we begin to experience the spaciousness of pure awareness, which is our true nature beyond the thinking mind.

7. Presence in Action: Bringing Awareness to Daily Life

Any creative endeavor can only come from there.

Presence in action means bringing full awareness to our activities, whether mundane or extraordinary. This state of being fully engaged in the present moment allows for greater effectiveness, creativity, and enjoyment in all aspects of life.

Ways to cultivate presence in action:

• Focus on the sensory experience of each task
• Perform one action at a time, avoiding multitasking
• Regularly check in with your body and breath
• Approach each activity as if for the first time
• Let go of the need for a particular outcome

By infusing our actions with presence, we tap into a deeper source of intelligence and creativity, leading to more fulfilling and harmonious experiences in work, relationships, and personal pursuits.

8. The End of Suffering: Transcending the Personal Story

You single out this instant and recognize it as timeless.

Suffering arises from our identification with a personal story or narrative about our life. Transcending this story involves recognizing the timeless dimension of our being that exists beyond all mental constructs.

Steps to transcend the personal story:

1. Observe the recurring thoughts and beliefs that make up your story
2. Question the validity and necessity of these narratives
3. Practice being present without referencing past or future
4. Cultivate awareness of your deeper, unchanging essence
5. Allow life to unfold without constantly interpreting or labeling experiences

As we learn to dis-identify from our personal story, we open ourselves to a more expansive and peaceful way of being, free from the limitations and suffering imposed by our mental narratives.

9. Nature as a Gateway to Presence

Nature loves that, it loves to be noticed by humans, not to be thought about, but to be truly seen, perceived, experienced.

Nature provides a powerful portal to presence and can help us reconnect with our essential being. Its inherent stillness and aliveness can serve as a mirror for our own inner state of awareness.

Ways to use nature for spiritual practice:

• Take mindful walks in natural settings
• Observe plants, animals, or landscapes without labeling or analyzing
• Feel the aliveness in your body as you connect with nature
• Practice sensing the space or stillness in natural environments
• Allow nature to teach you about being rather than doing

By attuning ourselves to the presence in nature, we can more easily access our own inner stillness and experience a deep sense of connection with all of life.

10. Performance Without Anxiety: Being vs. Doing

If you are fully present, the anxiety does not arise.

Performance anxiety stems from identification with a future outcome and the ego's need for validation. By shifting our focus to being fully present, we can access a deeper source of creativity and effectiveness that transcends anxiety.

Practices for anxiety-free performance:

1. Ground yourself in the present moment through body awareness
2. Focus on the process rather than the outcome
3. Let go of the need to control or predict results
4. Trust in the intelligence that arises from presence
5. Embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for spontaneity and authenticity

When we approach performance or any challenging situation from a state of presence, we tap into a flow of energy and intelligence that far surpasses our limited mental preparations, allowing for more authentic and powerful expressions of our true nature.

Last updated: December 4, 2024