The Importance of Living in the Present

It's the only guru you'll ever need.

Photo by Stephen Hocking on Unsplash

We live in a world that would have been incomprehensible to our ancestors as early as just a few years back. And the further back we go, the stronger the shock would’ve been. In this world that imitates fiction, we are at the mercy of our instincts. Our instincts make us constantly vigilant, checking for thieves or scammers who are lurking at every turn.

In this world, we are fighting wars against ourselves, fighting imaginary or real demons that are bringing us to our knees.

Why, what happened?

Are we at fault because of neglect?

If so, what are we neglecting?

Ourselves?

If our conscious observations tell us that indeed we have, the obvious next question would be how badly is the damage. Is it reversible?

History says it is. As long as there’s life, there’s hope but we need to understand what it is that needs fixing.

Self-introspection for one, is critical for our evolution as beings. We should strive for it more than for anything else. But do we?

We certainly don’t. We like to distract instead; to evade, to escape, to avoid.

The reasons are complex but for starters, let’s face it (no pun intended), we don’t like to think about our faults.

We would much rather watch a movie or get compliments on social media.

That satisfaction is immediate and rewards our sense of worth. Ego loves it.

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Instead, we should wake up and promise ourselves that we’ll make good use of today and learn something else about ourselves to correct the mistakes we made yesterday.

Or to wonder if we’re becoming better people as times go by. Are we better human beings today than we were last week, last month, or last year?

Is our life so full of positivity that we are for sure, in a world that it’s better because we’re on it?

Do we ever wonder how spiritual are we? Do we know what that even means?

By now we know that religion and spirituality are as far away from one another as a tropical sand dune is from being a snow mountain.

Being spiritual is knowing what is worth pursuing in this world, doing only good, to feeling compassion and empathy toward others. And ourselves.

If we deny such deeds, which are food for the soul, we are betraying the core of what we are and the only reason why we are here.

But why are we here?

The ancient masters would tell us that we’re here to grow, to conquer our ego, to evolve into a better human entity daily, hourly.

Let’s reflect…

That’s not what we do. The majority of us do the opposite.

We like cheap thrills and inane pastimes. Temporary kicks, and off in the search for the next shining object.

But by the time we realise our lives have passed us by, we begin our sequences of crisis, sorrow, and regrets.

But it’s too late. Can’t turn back the clock you chased so hard to hurry.

But not all is lost. As long as the recognition awakens you, you can still enjoy the divinity within you.

There’s no need for spiritual practices. No gurus can take you to that place of immense and utter bliss. All you need is presence.

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There’s no need for guided meditation either. The only time you need to close your eyes is when you go to sleep.

There’s no need for fancy Oriental mats or yoga positions. You don’t have to control your breathing to get into a place of peace. You don’t have to go to those expensive retreats in India or follow any master of knowledge.

All those things are unnecessary, although a little travel could be a sweet break from it all.

All you need you already have. It’s all within you and is the only secret you’ll ever need.

To be Present.

Being present sounds incredibly simple because it is. Usually, when we do our daily chores, we do them pragmatically, almost mechanically.

Even when we eat or drink, it’s taken for granted, as we usually look forward to finishing so we can go back to our favorite form of entertainment.

If instead, we chose to be present in every bite, our food would taste so much better! Same with a sip of tea.

Close your eyes for a minute and imagine the forest where that tea originated, imagine the birds chirping, the sound of the stream near it.

I promise it’ll be a wonderful experience. Not to mention the tea will taste a lot better.

It’s about you and up to you to make a difference in the world by making a difference in yourself.

All you have to do is stay Present.