This Week’s Quotation:
Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life. Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be. Now is the most precious thing there is.
~ Eckhart Tolle
The Gift of Now
Soul Care Facilitator
Have you noticed how our linear mind is very clever at keeping us out of present-moment awareness? There are so many temptations and distractions. I find my mind is easily distracted by the practicalities of everyday life. Yet, this holy instant is the only time there is.
One practice that supports me in being present in the Now is to take a five-minute time-out each hour. I use a practice that Thich Nhat Hahn proposes: Breathing in, I calm my body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment, the holy Now.
Such a practice empowers me to be fully present and strengthens my ability to greet each unfolding in the now moment with mindful, peaceful, loving intent. I immediately notice when I've gotten consumed by the past or future and lost the awareness that there's only now. And the first thing I do is smile in acknowledgment. Qigong instructor, Chunyi Lin teaches smile as an acronym for Start My Inner Love Engine. Smiling does just that!
Use whatever practices you have in your spiritual toolbag that support your remembering that Now is the time and the field on which the game of human life occurs. Engage practices that train the mind to remember that nothing is more important than Now. Now is everything. Now is the whole enchilada. Now is the gift.
In the Now is the gift to know your true self—as the totality of all that is. Remembering that always brings a smile to my lips. May it bring one to yours as well!
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
As much as I love Lennon & McCartney, I’m committed to Tolle & McCartney today. Although it is the 4th of July today and thus some say it is a very different day, that thought is just camouflage for the fact it is NOW – and on July 3 it was NOW when I lived then and on July 5 it will still be NOW. All that ever was is in this moment. And my opportunity to bring forth all of who I am is in THIS MOMENT. So I am writing as if the cascades of Heaven were pouring through me because indeed they are NOW – and that is the only time they can. .. NOW. I celebrate with all of you the power and presence of NOW and all I and we can do of purpose in this eternal moment. Loving thanks, Tom C.
Great to do some deep breathing with you, Terri, reminding myself that being fully focused in the present moment opens the door to everything else of value in my life. And, yes, also smiling to Start My Inner Love Engine.