“In the present moment, you may witness your self; you may witness your expression of self as this incredible lightness of being – as your true nature – as the energy of love.”   – dorothy ratusny

 

Mindfulness – the conscious choice to witness the present moment – is among the most powerful ways to live your life; to feel at peace – to be in harmony with your inner being – and to feel contentment and ease.  Being witness to the present moment allows you to experience your true nature.

 

The practice of mindfulness teaches us that we can be in control of our destiny.  We can be attentive to the inner world of our thoughts and choose with full attention and awareness what is right for us in each moment.  Choosing what thoughts and actions are right and best in order to live our highest potential (in each moment) aligns us with our innate happiness; and our ability to easily be kind, patient and loving.

 

(Our higher potential is not to be more wealthy, to have more possessions or to be famous.  These are aspects of our ego’s need to be recognized with importance, to have ‘more than’, and to feel privileged and special.  These desires are not incorrect – yet they are not the direct outpouring of our highest potential – which is to live as love; loving kindness – and to enjoy each moment with presence as much as possible.)

 

Mindfulness in daily practice is powerful.  When you are attentive to the present – you are reminded of how life is in constant flow; and ever changing.  When you hold an attitude of acceptance to what ‘is’; observing with curiosity and the desire to understand; to know what is true – rather than critique or judge – you experience the sacred beauty of life unfolding; you become oneness with this.  Your ability to be the observer allows you to make decisions with heightened awareness; you are able to be attentive rather than reactive – to everything around you. 

 

You may consistently ask the question, ‘What is right and best for me in this moment?’  This is how you go within – to hear your intuitive voice.  This is how you are able to be guided by your inner wisdom.  Your choices and the actions that you take may likely be more spontaneous (aka present moment based) – when you live more of the time in the present.  Even the unexpected situations that arise may now be managed more constructively since you can address what needs your attention whilst still be attentive to your needs in this moment.  We all need to plan ahead for some aspects of life; to create a schedule and keep various ‘clock time’ appointments – particularly as others are relying on the same measure of time.  Yet there are many opportunities in the course of each day to make decisions based on your present moment feelings and intuition – and on what is best and right for you in this moment.

 

Mindfulness and the ability to direct your attention inward; to observe, to witness, to be attentive – is how you will always gauge what is the right, and what is the most and best choice for you in the present moment.

 

When you follow your inner urging, you are more likely to enjoy what you are doing because you will be choosing this based on your needs in the present moment; and similarly if you have been avoiding a task, or a decision, your mindfulness will draw your attention to this; to highlight the need to complete this (project, task, chore, etc) as something of importance – that will help you to feel better; to be at peace; to take care of what needs to be done.

 

In your personal life it may be helpful to first observe just how much flexibility there actually is for you to follow a path and a pace that is driven by your intuition.  As you are witness to the present and each time that you return your attention here – in this moment, you are able to make decisions based on your present moment needs.  You receive the benefits of your actions – your decisions – in the present moment rather than at some displaced time.  By choosing based on what is right for you, you do not need to rely on someone or something as a substitute for what you need.  In being attentive to your breath for example, you are able to instantly be attentive in the present; you can observe what is most important and pressing to you – and then take action.  You can allow yourself to flow with impulse and urging from your inner voice – and to experience the enjoyment and satisfaction that is the result of your decisions arising out of your present moment awareness.

 

How can you live more of your everyday moments in the present?

Breath for Present Moment Awareness

Bringing your attention to your breath is by far the most simple and direct way of reclaiming the present moment.  Notice when you are caught up in your thoughts or distracted by tasks that have little or nothing to do with what is most important for you now.  For example, you can be sitting at your desk and distracted by thoughts of the previous evening or thoughts of something that you plan to do in a few hours and realize that you are no longer attending to what is important now.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying some pleasurable thought distractions including daydreaming and imaging a future desire – however it is important that when making decisions you are attentive to your present moment needs. 

The present is the only moment in which we have ultimate choice; and the freedom to take action.  We can enjoy the experiences of our recent past or contemplate our future moments and yet in these, we are without power.  Reflecting on past or future is to contemplate what is not our present moment reality.  If we live much of our time outside of the present moment we begin to witness a change in our mood state, and our ability to feel ‘in control’ and happy. 

If you truly want to be productive, to enjoy life, to be fulfilled, then you must be willing to live far more of your life making decisions from your needs in the present.  By going inward often to ask, ‘What is most important for me to do (to experience, to enjoy) in this moment?’ – even your work related tasks and obligations become those in which you now have greater control and autonomy. 

You can make present moment decisions that sustain and support your future goals and that serve your current needs.  For example, taking a break from your work when you feel restless or tired, choosing a different task when you need to change your focus; going outside for a time to walk or exercise as a healthy present moment choice – are all choices that help you to complete your goals and tasks but allow you to do so in a way that reminds you of your need to attend to your self – and to do this best – you must practice present moment awareness – mindfulness – now.

“We lose so many of the present moments of our life by being focused on the future or past.  The objective is to live far more of our life as it unfolds in the present.” 

– dorothy ratusny

 

Just for today, or perhaps for the next hour – pay greater attention to when you become distracted; to what distracts you; and to the thoughts that take you out of the present moment.  Learn to use your breath as a tool for returning your attention to the present.  It’s as simple as noticing when you have become distracted; and then to focus on your breathing for a time as you take 2 or 3 deep slow breaths – simply noticing your attention return to this moment; as you are present with the experience of breathing.  Focusing on your breath will always return your attention to the present moment.  As you are breathing with awareness, notice how you feel.  Then, you may return to the task you wish to be present with or you may notice other relevant thoughts and ideas flow into your mind.  Either way, you are now attentive to your experience, and able to choose what will be your present moments. 

 

The idea of flow is the experience of ideas and inspiration that come to mind.  You may be reminded of a task or activity that is important for you to address now.  This is your intuitive wisdom and it is far more accessible to you when you are of clear mind and present.  This is the reason why you often receive great ideas and inspired, creative thoughts when you are enjoying yourself and relaxed; because in the moments when you are present in your life – you are open to receiving new information and intuitive guidance.  Your mind in the present is open and available to receiving present moment insight. 

When you find your attention wandering, simply notice.  You can always choose in the present moment what needs your attention, before returning to your previous work.  Being mindful of what spontaneously comes to mind is not the same as being reactive to your thoughts – and allowing them to direct you.  Choose what you will attend to and what is less important right now.  Ask the question, ‘What is the most important and needed activity for me to complete in this moment?’ as a way of allowing your intuitive wisdom to act as helpful guidance – and in retaining your ability to choose what is best in the present moment.

Being present to your life is how you may live from a place of intuition and deliberate choice.  It is also how you enjoy the moments of your life; as they are more meaningful and rich in experience simply by your ability to attend to them – to witness and experience them fully attentive – with presence – and in peace.  Living your life in the present moment is also how you witness much beauty – and how you experience a ‘oneness’ with it.

 

Below is a beautiful guided meditation for witnessing the present moment; for living present to your experience.  I hope you will enjoy it!  namaste!!