Are you feeling stressed, anxious or fearful?
That is a sign that you have lost touch with the present moment.

In the chaos of our fast-paced, modern life, it is easy to unconsciously let our awareness drift off to the past or the future. Most times we don’t even realize that we are living inside our minds, instead of the perfect and everchanging present moment.

We cannot relive the past and we cannot go to the future.
We can ONLY be in the here and now.

What is Living in the “Now”?

Being in the now means being fully present, involved and aware of your environment, body and mind. You are not distracted by any worries and/or fears about the future or past.

At its essence, living in the now is about experiencing life as it unfolds, without judgments or attachments. You see all experiences as part of Life without seeing them as “right” or “wrong”, “good” or “bad”. You are the observer, participant and creator of your life on Earth, fully in control of your responses to any situation. Fully engaged emotionally yet detached from any outcome.

Why is Living in the Now so Important?

There is no other time than the present moment, and there will never be. The past and the future do not exist; they are mere illusions that we create by imagining them in the present. Therefore, staying too long in these imaginary places, other than the now, is insanity. Just because it seems like everyone is doing it, doesn’t make it any less insane!

We are not supposed to be living in our minds. We are supposed to live in the effortless nature of the now, using our mind/logic, emotion/heart and intuition as tools to navigate this physical reality.

Buddha defined enlightenment as freedom from suffering because he understood that most of our suffering is created in the mind by how we think and deal with the present.

As Lao Tzu said:
If you live mostly in the past: you feel depressed
If you live mostly in the future: you feel anxious
If you live in the now: you feel inner peace and you connect with your true divine nature, experiencing life as it is!

Consider this:
Have you ever heard someone saying something like: “I spent so long trying to achieve this goal and when I did, I was still unhappy”.

If the present moment is all there is, WHY would we deliberately create an unpleasant now for ourselves, inducing unnecessary stress, anxiety, frustration or anger?

Because we fail to grasp the significance of living in the present. Our relentless pursuit of goals is just avoiding the moment that is right here, right now.

Your destination won’t bring you happiness, but your ability to be present and enjoy the journey will.

By being open and curious, instead of being judgmental and having expectations, we can have access to the power of now. We let go of unnecessary stress and anxiety about what has happened or what might happen, which in turn gives us the mental clarity to make wiser decisions and respond to life’s “challenges” more effectively.

Living in the now is important because it is in the now that we truly experience life. We can engage and empathize more deeply with our surroundings, our relationships and ourselves. We can savor life’s simple pleasures and appreciate the beauty in everything. This helps us cultivate, or should I say uncover, the gratitude and joy that is already within us.

Our Dual Nature: Human and Divine

By staying in the moment and being aware of our own thoughts, we recognize the interplay between our two seemingly conflicting yet coexisting natures: the mundane-mortal self and the Divine-Observer Self.

The mortal, human self is rooted in the physical realm and is driven by desires, fears and societal conditioning. It navigates the complexities of daily life, often leading to attachment, identification and suffering.

Conversely, the Divine-Observer represents a state of pure awareness beyond the fluctuations of the mind and the duality of the material world. It’s the part of you that is quietly witnessing your life experience. Eternal, transcendent and connected to a higher source or universal consciousness, it remains impartial and detached, capable of witnessing our thoughts, emotions and experiences without becoming entangled in them.

Our observer self is not separate from the divine; rather, it is a direct expression of it. By tapping into our observer self, we can access that divinity within us, experiencing a profound sense of unity, interconnectedness, love and inner peace, our true nature.

While these two aspects (human & Divine) may appear at odds, they are intrinsically intertwined within the fabric of our being. The divine self is inside this vessel we call body and mind that are creating our physical life on Earth. So, although we need the mortal part of us to function in this realm, we recognize that our true nature is eternal. It is this divine essence within, the detached yet fully present awareness.

Therefore, by being aware of these two parts of us, we can learn how to tune into our Divine-Observer at will! As a result, we raise our level of awareness, cultivate a sense of peace, gain perspectives and insights from that wiser self, who helps us break free from reactive patterns and unconscious behaviours.

So, How can we Access the Now?

The good news is that becoming more mindful and tuned in with the moment is our true nature. Mindfulness is a basic human ability that can be cultivated and strengthened through practice, just like a muscle!

The reason why it doesn’t come so “natural” to many of us is because we have forgotten our true divine nature. We have become slaves of our compulsive thinking, identifying with the mind and mortal/human-self that constantly throw us into the past or future.

The mortal-self believes that staying in the mind, analysing and judging every situation is going to keep us safe. It’s the mind’s natural function, it is not “good” or “bad”; it serves an evolutionary purpose. However, the key here is to learn how to use the mind consciously instead of letting the mind use us!

Learn How to Cultivate a Deeper Connection to the Now

Here are a few simple ways to help us return to the present moment:

1. Breath
By observing the natural flow of the breath or counting your breath. You can also focus on its sound, pace or the feeling of the breath entering and leaving the body. You can also practice breathing techniques, like Box Breathing or Alternate Nostril Breathing.

2. Body
Tune into your body and its sensations. Notice the feeling of your feet on the ground, the rhythm of your heartbeat, the subtle movements of your muscles. Notice your emotions and how they are expressed in your body.
Tip: Bring all your attention towards 1 of your senses, whether it's tuning into the sounds around you, focusing your gaze on a specific point or on a particular sensation within your body. This simple act of sensory focus can help quiet the mind and heighten your awareness of the now.

3. Mind
Observe the mind. Notice it without judgment. Rather than becoming entangled in the stream of thoughts, let them go by becoming the silent observer, simply noticing each thought as it passes by without judgment or attachment. By observing the thoughts with detachment, we realize that we are not defined by our thoughts, and ultimetly we are not our thoughts.
Tip: If you get lost in your thoughts, cheerfully bring your attention back to your practice and point of focus. Don’t get frustrated or angry. Remember, it’s the mind’s natural function to have thoughts.

4. Mantras, Affirmations, Chanting, Praying
When we chant sacred words/sounds or repeat affirmations, our focus naturally shifts away from past regrets or future worries and towards the rhythmic vibrations of the present. Similarly, engaging in prayer, whether in a structured religious context or through personal reflection, invites us to surrender to the divine presence within and all around us, fostering a profound sense of connection.

5. Gratitude
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the blessings in your life. Not just passively, but also actively! Gratitude shifts your focus to the present moment, opening your heart to the beauty of life. Take time each day to reflect on what you're grateful for, savouring the small moments of joy and abundance.

6. Bonus NLP Technique! Follow these simple steps to anchor yourself in the now with whichever cue you feel like it will benefit you the most:
a) Start by selecting a specific sensory cue or action (a physical sensation, a movement, your breath, your posture, an affirmation, a sound - like the ringing of the phone) to serve as the anchor.
b) Experience the anchor and connect it in your mind and body with going back to the present.
c) Practice!
With consistent repetition, the anchor solidifies and becomes a powerful tool to get you back to the present.