Be here now

Meditation is not my stronghold. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. I’ve tired different types of meditation over the years. But still, I don’t wake up every morning trying to bask in the goodness of meditation. Lately though I was in a place that I was willing to try anything, I mean literary anything to sooth my gut playing havoc. A change of diet, medication, visits to my doctor pretty much every other week, and after numerous tests, I was still in pain and then I stumbled upon a fantastic piece of meditation called “M Word technique” by Emily Fletcher.

With much effort and persistence, I am mastering it at the moment. And I love it. It is a simple combination of meditation techniques wrapped with gratitude to make your mornings better. I am still an amateur. I have excellent days I wake up excited to meditate, and not so good days I drag myself to the couch to do it, and also days that I want to dig a hole in the ground and disappear without having to do it! If you know what I mean. So… it is work in progress. As for my gut, if you are wondering, it is getting better. I am not in pain anymore. Thanks to a combination of things I think, including, my diet, doctor’s advice and me trying to look after myself bit better these days. But meditating every morning tops the list. It helped me to calm my thoughts, be present in this moment and improve my focus and my gut health.

What shocked me though to realize I am not present in the moment most of the time! For me, it is always about the next step and the next step and the next step. Don’t get me wrong, I live here, and now. But mostly my thoughts are thinking about my future self or running my past reels. For example, I come from work, cooking, preparing for tomorrow, my head is in clouds, if something happened at work or with my loved ones, I would run different scenarios in my head to get a different outcome. Bit silly when I say it out loud. But I am sure we all can relate to that.

Sometimes our mind is like a clueless child running round trying to stay in the past or the future. Have you heard the verse “The mind wanders far and moves about alone: ​​it is non-material; it lies in the cave (chamber) of the heart. Those who control their mind will be free from the bonds.” (Dhammapada Verse 37). So profound and so true.

If I ask you the million-dollar question now, do you think you can you be here now? What would your answer be? For me, when I first tried to practice being in the present moment, it freaked me out. My mind couldn’t fathom the stillness of the present moment. It tried to run and hide in the past or reminded me that I have a housewarming coming up or there is a bill due to pay, and so on. But believe me when I say this you will get used to loving the tranquility in the moment. (of cause given you are alone in your home or in a secluded place) But even if you are in a crowd with loud surroundings, instead of thinking what to watch when you get home or worrying about your finances, what if, for a second try and be present in your body, look around, maybe touch the table or the counter top close by, try and feel the texture of your steering wheel if you are driving, in nature try and breath the fresh air or look at the side walk if you are having a stroll, touch the bark of a tree and feel the coldness on your palm, listen to the noises around you, feel the warmth of the Sun on your face… and bask in the present moment.

You may say, you have no idea, do you know what I am going through? I don’t have time for this! I know I haven’t walked in your shoes. I understand that. But for a moment, just think… you work so hard, looking after your family and your loved ones, dealing with sicknesses financial troubles and many other things in life. It is not all roses and sunshine always. So, don’t you think you deserve to put down the load you are carrying for many years, just for few minutes and give yourself a break? I think we all owe ourselves that much; for everything that we’ve gone through in life.

If we can be kinder to ourselves, to love ourselves bit better, be still and be present now, we can show up stronger and happier for ourselves and for our loved ones when they need us. The peace and tranquility that comes within when you practice being here now will guide you to right decisions in your life. If nothing comes out of it, you will at least get a moment of peace and quiet from your worries.

So, my friend, what do you think of practicing to be in the present moment? Just a few minutes per day, if you start the habit of being present in the moment for yourself first, that will pave a path for a long-lasting wellbeing for you and for your loved ones in your life.  So, are you ready to bask in the present moment? or at least to give it a try?

All you need is a simple first step; make a decision today to BE HERE, NOW... can you?

The painted canvas - Morning Sunrise