Tao de Haas posted on October 02, 2011 08:09
If you don’t do this now, then when will you?
Are you sacrificing joy in the moment for the sake of your future happiness? Did you know that the vast majority of people miss out on much of what life has to offer? Do you know that you could very well be one of these people? Let me ask you a question. How many of your waking hours do you spend either thinking about the past or the future? Where do you think your focus has been in the last 24 hours? What has been occupying your mind? How much time have you spent going over the past; mistakes you have made, things you wished for or could have done differently? What about all the things you currently want to be different or things (stuff) you wish you had? More money, more success, a relationship or a better one than you already have, more material things, a new car, a house, either a bigger one, a better one or both. Do you want to be more important, powerful or recognized? Of course no-one could recall exactly what has been on their mind.
The blessing and the curse
Our ability to think is one of the greatest human achievements (if you can actually call it that) however this certainly comes at a price. We tend to focus on the things that bother us or that we think will make us happier, more comfortable and more fulfilled – it is actually mental noise and it often prevents us from enjoying the moment. Most people are so busy doing, thinking, ruminating, wanting and planning for a better life that they are oblivious to and ignoring the richness, the peace and the beauty of life in the present moment. We humans have the most amazing and unique ability to be conscious and aware, yet we are rarely fully conscious or aware of these moments!
STOP
Try this. Stop for a moment after you have read the following instructions. Take a moment to close your eyes and focus on your breathing; your inhalation as well as your exhalation. After a few breaths allow your breathing to pause between your exhalation and your next inhalation, don’t force or strain it, just let it rest. Do this a few times and then open your eyes. While you were focussed and aware of your breathing did you feel discontent, unhappy or unfulfilled? Where you worried in that moment? Did you think about the past, did you want for anything? If you were able to focus on your breathing, the answer is NO. (Try it again if you did not get it the first time.) When was the last time you were really aware of your breathing? Do you know what a miracle breathing is? Do you realize that the only time you will be breathing is the relatively very short time between your birth and death? As far as I know corpses don’t breathe. By the way, this is a great technique for times you are feeling stressed, anxious and overwhelmed.
The greatest show on earth
We’ve all heard or read the famous quote in the song Beautiful Boy by John Lennon “life is what’s happening to you while you’re busy making other plans”. As the saying goes “tomorrow never comes”. Tomorrow is only a concept, tomorrow is always what is going to come; it is not here yet. In the present lies the miracle of life and the present time is now. Ultimately the past lies in your memory and the future in your imagination. It is no wonder that Eckhart Tolle calls it
The Power of NOW. While it is important to know what you want in life; what you would like to do and prepare appropriately, it is equally important not miss out on what life is offering right now, in the present moment. Don’t forsake the joy of living in the moment for the pursuit of happiness. More is often not better. It is like standing on a beautiful flower while looking for a field of flowers. Use your unique human ability to be fully conscious and aware; to observe, love, and experience the fullness of life in this moment. Open your eyes, stand still and be in awe of what Richard Dawkin’s refers to as, The Greatest Show on Earth!
If you don’t do this now, then when will you?