The Buddha's wisdom rings true: "Do not dwell in the past; Do not dream of the future; Concentrate your mind on the present moment." Yet, how often do we find ourselves pulled away by the undertow of the past or the alluring siren song of the future? I, for one, am constantly caught in this tug-of-war. Memories resurface, stirring emotions, and the future beckons with a kaleidoscope of possibilities.
The ideal state, as Buddha suggests, is a balanced and alert mind, free from the clutter of desires and anxieties. Unfortunately, my mind is a whirlwind of cravings. Past events trigger archetypal memories, while the future fuels anxieties. Every external stimulus seems to yank my attention in a different direction, leaving me scattered and fragmented.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to true presence is our divided attention. At work, our minds drift to family concerns. With loved ones, professional worries intrude. Every interaction, every handshake, every smile deserves our full presence. We should be able to absorb every whispered word, every heartfelt sentiment.
The concept of "Life is wonderful" resonates deeply. It implies embracing the present moment, both joy and sorrow, without getting swept away by emotions. However, achieving a state of complete detachment from our identity seems like a distant mountain peak. Living a life of detached moments feels equally daunting.
Yet, recent explorations of Aurobindo's teachings have rekindled my desire to experience the wonder of life. The realization that there are countless teachers on the "Art of Living" path is both humbling and empowering. It's time to embrace the role of the student.
This journey towards mindful presence is a lifelong pursuit. There will be stumbles and setbacks, but even the smallest victories deserve recognition. With patience, dedication, and perhaps a little help from wise voices and practices like meditation, we can all learn to savor the present moment, and in doing so, discover the true wonder of life.
It is said that for each person 'the past is gone; future may not exist; what is there is only a 'present' (gift) and be humble enough to accept it! Easier said than done though, which you have clearly elucidated on how it manifests in oneself.
ReplyDeleteThis is understood that living in presence is absolutely true as presence is only in our hand. past has gone.. and about future we don't know exactly... But that is sure that learning lesson from our past improves present and future is also on based of our present so keep present in mind and concentrate on it is looks wisdom...
ReplyDeleteUnderstood that present is only in our hand and on base of that we can create our future.. use past as learning lessons for present...
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