Namaste!!!
All you
got to do is show up and start doing, and the universe says, "Yes, Here
you go. Your wishes are my command!!!"
But what
we do is juggle in between the past and future.. What lies in between is the
truth.. The essence of life i.e., the PRESENT.
Most of
us.. Including me (ummm….sometimes), are either thinking about what has already
happened and what’s going to happen.
Why is
that???
Does that
mean that we don’t know what’s going on right now???
Or you
would ask, if I don’t think about the past, how do I learn from my mistakes or
recall memories (good or bad… both)?
Or
probably, if I will not think about the future, what will happen, how will I
survive, how do I plan?
(Come on
Komal, What are you talking about???)
Well, i
would say, YES!! Both… The past and future are important parts of our life;
however we must dedicate a time slot for these and not dwell on it every
minute.
For
instance, if I want to go back to my past, I would try to understand the crux
of it, underlying problem and not the situation. Once I get into that part, I
would understand what went wrong and re-fuel my brain with some helpful
techniques to not do that same thing again.
Its like,
your hand instantly went on the fire fumes and u got a taste of it. Next you
would do is, evaluate how to avoid that pain caused in this event. You may be
careful next time or not go near it, or get fearful.
But, if
you do not go back and get the remedy.. That’s when you are in trouble, that’s how
our mind keeps repeating mistakes, because we haven’t found a proper way of
dealing the problem.
Same way,
if you keep thinking about future.. for example, I want to get a car, I want to
buy something that I don’t have, I will do this or that, etc. Then, you are
missing out on what you can be doing now, by dwelling in something that you don’t
have. Although this part is also important, but if you dedicate a time slot for
these both activities, you will be able to spend rest of your time in NOW..
that is the present.
The joy
is in being present.
Look
Around you. What do you see? Your family, Siblings, Nature, Children. They are
all waiting for you to spend time with them. All these are priceless gifts
waiting to uncover with your attention.
Some questions
to ask yourself, to realise if you are present in the moment:
1. What I am
seeing in front of me?
2. Am I 100%
giving attention to whats happening now?
3. The thought
I am having, is it important right now, does it need attention urgently?
Techniques
to return to present moment:
1. Inhale
and exhale deeply – Close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose and
release your breath through your mouth
2. Be baby
like – Use your senses (touch, smell, sight, sound) For example, see what’s in
front of you. If you are in a garden, feel the smell of flowers, the earth, see
the moving clouds (I love this personally, how beautiful it is to see their
formations), look at the moon. If you have no access to these there is one more
idea for you.. close your eyes and observe the birds singing and chirping…
3. Meditate –
If you are familiar with meditation, then you have the best option to look
within..
4. Use affirmations:
I am present in the moment, Wake up Komal! (I use that sometimes, you can use
your name in place of mine)
A PRO-TIP
5. If you
are in depression or feeling too low, try to do some physical activity
(Walking, exercise, Yoga, Dance, Gardening and similar activities) this will
instantly make you forget about everything and let yourself loose.
Don’t:
1. Feed your
mind with connected thoughts of past or future. Stop right there. The best way
is to say STOP aloud to yourself and come back by using the above techniques
2. Surround yourself
with negative people
3. Dwell on
the past or future thoughts
4. Hold on
to thoughts
A PRO-TIP
5. Do not
discuss / gossip about your past or future with anyone – None is capable to
help you, until you help yourself to be in the PRESENT.
Okay, now
that you are well aware of all the above, do try the techniques and write a
comment below of how this article has helped you to be in present.
I know
its difficult to digest for some and the mind will still be controlling to
juggle in past and future, but only practice can help you come out of this
juggle.
Also do
write in a comment if you want me to write about any specific topic that is
troubling you to overcome.
SAT CHIT
ANANDA
-
Mrs. Komal R. Hegde
Very nice keep it up. God bless you with success in your life
ReplyDeleteIt's a great learning to know that fcusing on the Present is the key to success. However, I would like to ask what do you do of Family and Friends who constantly keep reminding you of your Past and Future. Parents constantly nag us on building a better future and Friends constantly remind us of our sweet memories & past. How do we balance these two influencing factors in our life?
ReplyDeleteThank you Vins, glad to know the article helped you. You have asked a good question.
ReplyDeleteIt’s important to maintain relations as much as to maintain equipoise in your own mind.
I would like you to ask yourself a few questions:
1. How often do you allow people to guide you?
2. How often do you oblige to their advice or their suggestions?
3. How deep is the attachment with the nagging team members?
4. Can you let go the attachment and detach yourself, concentrating on self?
Often we allow people to control us unknowingly, in small situations, thereby giving them the leverage to control you more often and later bigger situations. And if we are unable to deliver the requested desires, they keep asking you again and again (we name it nagging) to fulfill their desires, till you do not fulfill them and there is another list waiting. I hope this is exactly what you are trying to explain. It’s important to know your limitations and to what extent you can fulfill other people’s desires. In yoga, we usually limit our talks to what is important and not indulge in conversations which are meaningless.
I would advise to ask the below questions to yourself and accordingly take appropriate steps:
1. Is it important to deal with the problem right now?
2. Could you respond to the nagging in a lighter way but firmly?
3. Or, Are you willing to fulfill their expectations/desires?
The above is some advice to face the situation appropriately. It’s like an instant solution.
But the second side of it, as a counselor, I would say, it’s your internal mind that is bothering you and giving those things importance and space. If you take it as unimportant and of least value, as you wouldn’t want to give-in, you would instantly disregard the nagging and continue to work (PRESENT). This comes with a lot of practice. We at Meditate Art Yoga, help to train your mind to this level. But since it is affecting you, the immediate solution is not to react and look within by asking questions.
I hope I have cleared your doubts, if you have any further queries, feel free to ask.
SAT CHIT ANAND
- KOMAL HEGDE
Yes! You have given me some good pointers to think on and try it out. I will ask myself these questions and find answers within...I also understand, for a long term solution, I need to train my mind and hopefully will get in touch with you soon for better guidance. ��
ReplyDelete