Living in “The Moment”

Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them. — Alan Watts.

I was reading a blog post by one of my favorite writers. He practices Zen Buddhism, which I do not, but talk about inspiring. This man really knows how to value life and to savor the richness of each moment that has been given to us.

He asks this question, “How often have you eaten a meal and not really tasted it or driven somewhere without even remembering how you got there?”

Our days often pass us by while our minds are elsewhere.

One of my favorite methods of finding happiness and preventing stress is living in the moment — It’s one of the foundations of Zen Buddhism, but it’s not necessarily meditation — it’s more the decision to become aware of your actions and thoughts, and what your senses bring in, in your every day routine.

No one actually lives in the moment all the time — I don’t think it’s possible. Some, with practice, can learn to live in the moment for longer than most of us, but there will always be times when you’re worried about the future or thinking about the past, and forget to be ‘in the moment.’

It’s actually pretty hard, if you give it a try. Test it out right now: close your eyes (after reading these instructions first), and concentrate on your breathing — the sensation of the air as it enters your nose or mouth and fills your lungs, and as it goes out again. If other thoughts come up, be aware of them, acknowledge them, let them go (but don’t try to force them away) and then return your focus to your breathing.

It’s hard, isn’t it? Being in the moment isn’t as easy as it sounds.

It takes practice. But it can be achieved at times. To help inspire you to live in the moment, here are some great examples:

1. Cats. My cat lives in the moment. He’ll stealthily stalk an insect or lizard, as if he’s hidden in tall grass on the savanna, and then he pounces and attacks. You know he’s not thinking about what he had for breakfast or what furniture needs to be shredded later in the day. Cats (and other animals) are all about the Now. Be like a cat.
2. Yourself, lost in something. You’ve been in the moment plenty of times. Can you remember a time when you lost yourself in a task? Not lost in thought, but lost in the doing of the task itself — you were concentrating fully, you thought of nothing else. The world disappeared. It might have been work — you might have achieved that state of mind known as “flow” — or it could have been a hobby, playing sports, yardwork, fixing something, anything. Try to remember a time like that, and replicate it.
3. The immediate sensation or smell of something that takes you away. Remember how you love the smell of rain, or freshly cut grass? Think about the fact that you are a free spirit and you enjoy every moment to the fullest. Whenever you encounter a ‘now moment’, live in it…let it envelop you. Believe me, it will be worth whatever you are giving up at the time.
4. Naps and snuggling. Don’t underestimate the power of laziness. It is a sign that your body really needs regeneration. Give yourself over to the fact that you need to walk away from your deadlines. Sleep in…rest, snuggle in bed with the one you love. You will be much more productive in the long run.

Practice living the simple life. Don’t let the business of life suck you dry. There must be balance in order for you to truly prosper in your mind, emotions, spirit, and being. We only pass through here once. Isn’t it best to pass through with complete awareness and enjoyment?

This article, although altered slightly by myself, must be credited to one of my favorite writers, Leo Babauta. His website, entitled Zen Habits is one that I turn to often for ideas on destressing my thoughts and my life.