Living in the "Now"

     How often have you been troubled by thoughts of events in the past or worries about what shall happen in the future? Chances are all the time. Now, I am no expert on why it should happen but if you were to read the book "The Mindful reader", Michael Bunting states that man in genetically or evolution-based predisposed to worry about his own safety since in the early stages of evolution the threat to survival was significant. The reason for this could be more spiritual as in its quest to remain happy, man has devised many new forms of "entertainment" and has therefore lost the ability to remain at peace with himself - something which perhaps the past generations were able to do.

     I have read many a book and heard gurus including my own (who I hold in great reverence) about the necessity and the benefits of living in the present. Living in the presence is the essence of living life as it gives one the opportunity of living in the way it is meant to be - through the heart without over complicating it. It gives us the opportunity for us to respond to situations in the most natural ways. Above all, it frees us from incessant thoughts about the past and present and makes us relaxed and judge a situation for what it is and not what it has been thought to be based on preconceived notions 

     I have always been a constant worrier (Read "worrier" and not "Warrier" :)) I have always been inclined to worry, think and plan things so as not to be in for a surprise any time. Turns out this has always left my mind filled with thoughts (not always negative) almost all the time. I am mentally fatigued with these thoughts. With my mind pre-occupied I feel I am busy and with no time for some of the good work which I might want to do (writing this blog, reading a book, talk to family, read up on developments in the tech world, Meditate, etc). Very little gets done as I live in my fictitious world of past and future without living in the moment. In the earthly sphere my productively goes down and I end up as a man living his life through worried rather than ability to react in the most natural way

     Now here is something people reading this need to understand well. Living in the present does not mean you do not plan at all. It certainly does not mean not preparing for the exam a few days ahead or a presentation which you may have in your office. It means to stop worrying about events in the past which have already happened or events in the future, since the outcome of those you do not have a control over. For instance with an office presentation a few days ahead, living in the present helps me to give my 100% into making the presentation without worrying about a disappointing presentation in the past or how my manager is going to frame an opinion of it in the future. It also does not mean being unduly excited about the presentation you are making now based on successful past presentations or living in the happiness of you manager saying "Good Job, buddy" in the future without the event having even happened.
It means remaining objective, balanced and happy in the present - thinking about the now, reacting to the situation in the most natural fashion unadulterated by worries of the past and present. WOW! Just as I am writing it, I feel so relaxed - Living in the moment is awesome.

    Is there a way we can be pratice living in the present? To be honest, it is not always easy since our mind keeps pushing us to the past an future. You may keep telling yourself to live in the present but sometimes this voluntary push may not be strong enough to convinve your worried mind to just live in the moment. That is where breath watching/meditation helps. "Pranayama" is key to all meditation techniques and it should be practised on a daily basis. Watch your breath go in and out at a measured pace. Watching the essential lifeforce go in and out and living through it helps you live in the present. I have heard a number of people say that they have not been able to concentrate hence they do not meditate. Well, it is meant to be just the opposite. You meditate to be able to train your mind to be able to concentrate. Your controls are sharpened by constant attempts to meditate. It is somewhat like working out in the gym. You keep at it - till you are able to enter the state of silent splendour. Your mind then begins to fall in line. It begins to stop itself from taking frequent flights to unwarranted territories :).

Don't allow your past or future to unreasonably affect your present!!