This Week’s Quotation:
The past no longer is. The future is not yet here; there is only one moment in which life is available, and that is the present moment.
~ Buddha
The Gift of the Present Moment
Soul Care Facilitator
The ego is very clever at keeping us out of present moment awareness. Have you been finding it more challenging to be present and available to the unfolding moment? There are so many temptations and distractions. I find my mind is easily distracted by to-do lists and the practicalities of everyday life. Yet, this holy instant is the only time there is.
One way to welcome the present moment is to take a five-minute time-out throughout the day. Let go of anything that’s weighing on you. Let go of any tension in your body. Just allow all of yourself to fall outside of time and embrace the holy moment. Thich Nhat Hahn suggests this practice: Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.
Such a practice empowers us to be present and strengthens our ability to greet each unfolding moment with mindful, peaceful, loving intent. Smiling as we breathe releases happy hormones in our body. Then, whatever the present moment contains, we remember that now is the time and the field on which the game of human life occurs. Then we can greet every situation as an opportunity for spiritual expression.
Train your mind to remember that nothing is more important than this present moment. Now is everything. Now is the whole enchilada. Now is the gift. Happy Timelessness!
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.
Thank you Terri, lovely and OH! So true. A conscious practice of “time out”, “moment in” is vital each day to balance reality!
Yes, Terri. How often do i enjoy every drop of water on me in the shower — or is my mind racing ahead to the next event such that I am lost in the imaginary future? To what extent do I taste my food and drink — or am contemplating what I happened yesterday which is too late to change? The present is the true key to Heaven . I cannot bring Heaven into earth in the imaginary future or reconstructed past — both are an illusion. I greatly appreciate the suggestion in this blog of taking time out to focus, to consciously breathe, to truly live and not be lost in day dreams. WITH YOU in PRESENCE. Love, tom
Thanking you, Terri…..right here, right now, in the moment 😀
So perfect – Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.
Terri, such powerful simple truth. I join you in the breathing pulsing enchilada of timelessness.
Amen! Thank You for sharing! Everything I read rings true to my soul!!🙏🏽❤️