As some are aware, Eckhart Tolle wrote the book “The Power of Now”. In this blog I want to describe how to actually practice being present. To “be present”, the way I see it, is to simply have one’s attention on what is occurring (what is happening) now. An aside: Eckhart points out that “it is always now” and that “it is never not now”. The opposite of being present is having one’s attention wandering to either some memory of the past or some idea of the future, or some other concept or thought in your mind. Following are some examples of how I, and how you might practice, and therefore begin to develop, presence. By “develop” I mean forming a habit of being present. I expect that practicing what I’m describing will form positive wiring of the physical brain. I have no proof of that though. Maybe someone has some information about that.
Take the simple act of washing dishes. Bring your attention to the smell of the soap. Just acknowledge the smell. Feel the warm water on your skin. Notice the sound of the water splashing. Note the sensation of your feet on the floor. What other sounds might be around you? Birds outside the window? The sound of a TV in another room? Just notice what is going on. You might also acknowledge “no sound” between sounds. No need to judge what’s going on. And no need to make mental commentaries about what you notice. But if you do, notice that too as another “thing” going on now. What I do after the act of washing the dishes is ask myself, “how much, on a scale of one to ten, was I present during that. My honest estimate the last time I did dishes was only “3” out of 10. And that “low” value even though I made an effort to be present. It makes me aware of how much I am “not there!” so to speak. Doing that estimate helps me become aware of just how much my mind might currently tend to wander – wander to daydreams, memories, images in my mind etc.
Ok, yes I know washing dishes might be considered as a boring task. So you might try the same exercise while walking in nature. Feel the ground beneath your feet. Feel the temperature of the air on your skin? Hear your footsteps? Hear the body breathing? Are there birds chirping? What other sounds do you notice? Is there any taste in your mouth? What might you be smelling?
Anywhere you are or what you are doing can lend itself to presence practicing.
Another exercise is to bring attention to every thing you hear. And when you are done, ask yourself, “what sounds did I miss that are also going on?” We can do that with other senses too, but taking inventory of everything we see with our ours would take a looong time. But you probably know what I’ve wanted to describe.
I would appreciate feedback about all this. Especially any ways in which this blog or the exercise is helpful to you.
Peace and Love… Now 🤩.
(for my music)
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