The Gift of Each Moment

You have only one moment in your hands; the real moment.

Either you live it or you leave it unlived.”

Osho

Have you noticed that often, the last thing we want to do is to be still and simply be with ourselves in the moment? We spend most of our lives working towards the very opposite – filling each moment with activities, people, work. We busy ourselves in anything that will take us away from the loneliness, emptiness, the hurts and disappointments, and those often harsh thoughts and feelings we harbour about ourselves, right?

The mystics through the ages have been telling us that all that we are seeking on the outside is already here, within the heart of our own being. Sitting in stillness, present to that which we would run from they tell us, even for short moments of time each day, we will find the gateway to that which we truly seek.

Saint Francis of Assisi is said to have taught that “that which you are looking for is where you are looking from”.

Spiritual traditions through time have told us that the real and lasting treasure in life is found when we make that 180 degree turn inwards. We discover that place from where we are always looking, the place which Saint Francis of Assisi is eluding to – the eternal, enduring Self, the treasure-house in the heart of our being.

The message of the mystics has always been that only when we come home to ourselves in this way, taking time to rest quietly, silently, in the present moment, with our awareness turned towards our own innermost being, will we find the peace, love and fulfilment we are seeking. Only then, they tell us, will we stop chasing the shadow of lasting fulfilment through the busying of our days

Once we begin to practice sitting in quiet stillness and silence, in the beginning, we may pass through initial discomfort as we become aware of and start to feel the tensions running through the body and mind, and old trapped feelings we have been so adeptly avoiding for so long.

However, there is an alchemy in simply sitting still, impartially present to whatever arises from within. It is amazing how quickly that which we have run from, denied and/or suppressed, is transformed into a blessed peace and a quiet joy and fulfilment. when we finally give it space to just be, and allow the light of our own awareness to shine on it. That which has been standing in the way jis dissolved in this light, and in its place that which has been felt to be missing is found.

We have all experienced the blessng of being held in the present moment, such as when we witness a beautiful sunset or the birth of a newborn. Even at the end of a Yoga class that has touched us particularly deeply. as the mind stops when we rest in savasana, we drop into the profound depths of the present moment, where we find nothing is missing. We find a dimension of being empty of mind and all its complexities, yet full of profound presence.

In Yoga classes, we bring our awareness to the breath and to the body, and in doing we so come into the present moment.. This supports us to leave the concerns of the past or future aside . And in this present moment awareness, nothing is missing, right? That emptiness we have feared for so long and that keeps us running, in an instant becomes filled with a nurturing presence which we would never leave.

Why not try out these present moment practices as a reminder of the gift of each moment and to support a return to equilibrium for your body and mind in the busy-ness of your days?

1. Take a moment in a quiet place. Put down the devices, turn off the TV or radio, and  just for a moment, seated or lying, bring your right hand to rest on your belly, and your left hand to rest on your heart centre, in the middle of your chest. Feel the movement of your breath underneath your hands. Ask your breath to slow down as you regulate your breathing to a 3 or 4 breath count. Watch your mind slow down and regulate. With nothing else to do here but simply watch your breath: and you will see all the habitual turbulences of mind and emotions start to settle. Can you also notice the gifts that are the qualities of your own innermost nature, arise to meet and greet you as you rest in the moment with the gentle rise and fall of your own breath?

2. This week, why not resolve to give yourself more of the same? Can you schedule just five minutes each day to practice this breath-watching, present-moment practice? Early morning is best and/or early evening. You might notice it positively changing the fragrance of your days.

3. Also  this week, why not try out this STOP technique? Any time you remember throughout your days in the coming week, stop whatever you are doing,stop in your tracks, bring your hands to your heart centre and belly . Let this support you to drop into the present moment….for just a moment. Witness the profound shifts this simple and brief practice can bring to the moment and so to your days.

I talk about the stop technique in this short video:

How do bring body and mind back to the present moment?
How easy or challenging is it for you to be with yourself in quiet solitude?
Please feel welcome to comment and share your thoughts.

With love and good wishes always,

Mau goodness fill your life. 🙏✨🫶