living in the moment

I would like to live in the moment. In theory, it seems awfully easy to do (I mean, hello, we're in it) but it is so hard to practice.

For example: I have a dog. I adore him. He's almost 7, so is middle-aged, but is in fantastic health. Well, he has a heart issue, but so far he appears to be compensating.

I'll be doing something random and, all of a sudden, I think about the fact that he is going to die someday. Then I think about how heartbroken I am going to be when that day comes. Then I get teary at the very idea of it. Then I think about all the things that he won't be there for. Then I wonder if I am going to be able to get another weimaraner. And on and on.

At the same time, part of me can see what a waste it is to spend time mourning his eventual loss before it actually happens, instead of actually enjoying his company while he is here. (And I'm pretty sure it's not something that I need to practice.)

Maybe I'm making some progress, since there is a part of me that - in those moments - recognizes that I'm caught up in a story and am not living in the moment at all. So .. I continue to practice.

How about you? Is living in the moment something you practice? Do you have any tips on how to stay present?

Comments

[pearl mattenson]

Elisabeth I hope this isn't too off topic. I of course struggle with being in the moment too. But your story puts me in mind of a whole other pattern I notice. Sometimes when I do what you describe (which I sometimes call catstrophizing) it is not that I am not living in the moment but more that I have a deep need to FEEL something powerful and rather than allow my feelings to surface in the moment, I need to go to some extreme eventuality to get me to feel-something-anything. Could just be my thing. Looking forward to good insgiht here.

Of course there is always Shiva Nata! :)

[steph]

Yes, it's something I practice. I think one of the most useful tips I've ever gotten (and it's taken me years to start being able to put it to use) is to trust that I'll *come back* to being present.

My monkey mind takes being present and tries to use it to beat myself over the head - I get caught sometimes in wanting to *always* be present. And that's just not very likely. But it's not so helpful for me to beat myself up for the times that I wasn't living in the moment (which, of course, doesn't keep me from doing it sometimes anyway.) Over time, though, I'm learning to trust that even when I forget and get caught up in the past or the future or whatever, I'll come back to here-now.

And I agree with you, that when I notice I'm caught up in a story, there's a certain amount of being-present-now required to notice that, even if I don't change what I'm doing (being caught up in the story). I think the noticing is definite progress.

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@Pearl: Not off topic at all! I experienced something a few weeks ago .. I wonder if it's similar to what you noticed. Your description made a lot of sense to me.

The short answer was that I was feeling some fear - except I didn't realize it, or realize why - so I was finding the most extreme things to worry about (like someone didn't call me back so I thought they were murdered in their home, extreme). It took me a while to figure out what on earth was going on, but I eventually realized that I was feeling fear in my body but I was slightly disassociated from my body so didn't really realize it, and on some level didn't want to be worried about the thing I was worried about so was looking for some other way to express the emotion.

You mentioned that you're also finding that Shiva Nata puts you back into your body so you can feel your emotions. I wonder if that will change your pattern at all?

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@Steph: Thank you for that tip! You're right. There will always be times when we're not present - and it is so easy to use that as as a way to beat yourself up, either in the moment (because you know you're not in it) or after the fact.

"trust that I'll *come back* to being present"
Yes, I love this.

[Julie M.]

I try and live for today as much as I can but I'm such a dreamer/visionary that I struggle being present. I told my husband today that I think I need to really work on art as a creative outlet to focus some of the excitement towards the future that I'm always feeling. Loving life's possibilities is all good and well but I need to channel that to this moment, too.

Not much help there with tips! Lol. But I've tried to ride through those sad thought patterns of loved ones possibly not being around in the future and just let my mind think it and move beyond it. Actually, I have a blog post that I was going to do today but ended up getting too nervous to. :P It kind of deals with those emotions that can seem consuming- maybe I'll post it now?

[steph]

Also (belatedly), hello! I've been lurking here for a while before commenting yesterday, and I really enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for sharing parts of your journey. :)

[Caroline]

How did I miss this blog???

Funny, I do the same with my dogs...they are such a rich part of my life.

I do try to stay present...it's not easy. Meditation helps to calm my mind. And when worry starts to creep in...I just push it aside and focus on the moment. Not sure if that makes any sense...

Loving this blog though ;)

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@Julie: Art is definitely a good creative outlet! Though I think feeling excited about the future is wonderful. Maybe another idea is to think of concrete steps that you might be able to take in the moment that would move you towards your future. (And I'd love to read your post!)

@Steph: Hello! Thanks for joining in the conversation! I appreciate your thoughts. :)

@Caroline: Ahhhhh,yes. Meditation does help. Thank you for that reminder. I worried much much more before I started that practice.

[Patty Waite]

Elizabeth, I keep forgeting to check this blog, but I love this post and the discussion! As you know, my word for this year is "justbe" (ha - you thought it was 2 words!), as in justbe in the present moment, so I can so relate to all of this. I do find that as I continue to practice (it's definitely a training type of thing that gets easier with practice)I still do go to those negative places, but I am better able to recognize negative spiraling thoughts and stop them in their tracks. Just a few short years ago, I didn't have a clue about any of this and would let my negative thoughts wander willy-nilly and take my whole psyche with them, so this is progress! One step at a time...

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@Patty: Hee. I did think it was two words.

I can so relate to all of that. (It's amazing how quickly the thoughts spiral, I must say.) One step at at time, for sure. Practice makes perfect (they say). :)

[Casey]

When I'm meditating or pre-Shiva Nata, I listen to Fabeku's yummy sound music (usually the free download at http://www.sankofasong.com/, but I also have his stuff from iTunes) and I chant "here now" in my head. Doing the Shiva thing also helps me be in the moment.

But oh geeze, do I get what you mean about the what-ifs and what-thens running off in my head and making me cry! I start with my husband, move on to my cats, and by then I'm such a mess, I can usually step back and think, "OK, this isn't happening TODAY, so pay attention to now and take tomorrow when it comes."

Neither is a really good technique, but I do what I can to get by. Practice practice practice. :) I can usually hear Havi saying "we're all working on our stuff - it's OK, it's normal, and it's forgivable" (probably because I use the destuckification recordings all the time). It's a good reminder, right? Or am I rambling again?

-case

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@Casey: I love the "here now" idea! I am going to try that. I have found that mantras help my mind focus, but sometimes they are even a bit long.

And yes, practice, practice, practice. Such a good reminder.

[Tara]

Hello! I just found your blog and have been reading every post, as each one seems more relevant and synchronistic for me. I am a Reiki practitioner (non-practising currently!) and a lot of what you say really resonates with me, so I'm adding you to my blog feed.

I find reading Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now is really helpful with the 'being here now' thing, and also coming back to my breath as it enters and exits my nose. I forget all the time, but the more I practice the more I remember to do it, and it really does help to bring you back to the present I find, even if just for a few moments. Knowing that you CAN do it even if you don't always remember is a great comfort I think.

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@Tara: thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts! I did read The Power of Now last year .. maybe I should read it again. I do like the breath idea! It's one of those things that is easy to do, so hopefully will be easier to remember.