Live In The Now

My intention with the following piece is to offer a look at mindfulness in plain English. May this information serve you.

Ancient wisdom from many cultures, and cutting-edge scientific experiments performed in modern labs both point to the incredible power of observing the present moment. Tapping into this simple practice can set you free from all obstacles and empower you to manifest everything you desire.

Most people spend their time living in a past that is forever gone and a future that hasn't even been realized yet. For some reason we seem intent on avoiding the present moment with all manner of daydreams and self-distractions.

However, when we allow our minds to be free from regret and anxiety, and focus clearly on the present moment, we have access to the virtually limitless power of mindfulness. By simply deciding to be aware of our bodies, thought processes, and surroundings without getting lost in our internal chatter, we open the door to an abundance of new possibilities.

Enhanced physical energy, the ability to focus our attention more sharply and think more clearly, and a heightened sense of intuition are only a few of the benefits we gain as we practice daily mindfulness. By mindfulness, I simply mean the activity of paying attention to what we are doing in the present and letting our minds flow freely without participating in the "mental movies" that make up much of our day.

You can begin this sacred yet simple exercise immediately just by taking account of what you are doing right now.

Feel the physical sensation of your body in the chair.

Allow yourself to hear the sounds around you without becoming distracted.

Read the words on this screen and watch your mind flow without interruption.

Give it a try. You'll find yourself slipping back into a state of distraction after only a few seconds.

It's amazing how difficult it can be for our minds to simply stop chattering away at us and pay attention for as little as five minutes! But with practice it becomes easier, and your whole life begins to open up in a way you never imagined possible.

Key to this entire process is the ability to observe your thoughts as they occur and not become attached to them. Your conscious mind flows like a never-ending stream, and a big part of its job is to identify and analyze everything in your world; but you don't have to identify with or be influenced by every thought you have.

In fact you can choose to entertain only those thoughts that empower your purpose! But that will be the topic of another article.

For now I want to emphasize the practice of stepping back from your thoughts and becoming immersed in your present reality as it unfolds. In addition to wonderful improvements such as greater energy, focus, and love of life, I believe this practice further empowers you to define your personal destiny.

Through Quantum mechanics, researchers have found that a human being can affect the behavior of electrons and atoms by the mere act of observing them! Consider the astonishing ramifications of this statement.

Science has proven that we can directly influence physical reality with thought alone. And the daily practice of being mindful and aware of the moment makes it far easier for us to focus our intentions as we observe the natural flow of life.

For more great insights on living in the present moment and spirituality be sure to visit the author's Website.

Most of us live in a make-believe world of our thoughts and feelings, where memories and anticipations replace spontaneous participation in the moment. This may be the norm, but it's far from natural and in order to enjoy your true potential you must wake up and embrace the now.

You have been taught that life demands constant thinking, reacting, and the furrowed brow of concerned planning. But the truth is you absolutely can let all of that go and find the unbroken peace of the present moment.

Consider where you are right now. Become fully present as you read these words; acknowledge your physical surroundings and the intuitive current that flows inside you.

How are you really feeling in this moment?

You may be surprised to find that your true feelings are not in alignment with the "mood" you are projecting to others. When you truly allow this moment to unfold without judgment and prejudice, you may also find that fatigue and pain are replaced by a sense of exhilaration.

Once you step back from your mental chatter and accept the present moment for what it truly is, it's also entirely possible that you'll feel more alert, calm, and empowered. In many ways you will meet a brand new person when you stop living "in your head" and center your awareness on the truth of right here and now.

The fact is most people are not living their truth, because they are not living in the real world. By this, I mean it's common for people to dwell constantly on thoughts of the past and/or future, rather than to be centered in the immediate present.

When we reject the now in favor of imagined moments (past or future), we are in fact displacing our conscious minds from our physical bodies. In so doing we limit our abilities to clearly and accurately process and respond to present emotional and intellectual data; and we tire ourselves unnecessarily.

As a result, the person you embody in your daily life may be a pale shadow of the man or woman you truly are. And the solution is to pursue an ongoing mindfulness of the present moment.

Letting go of forced thought and mental chatter is easy. You simply embrace where you are and what you are doing and allow your senses to see, hear, touch, etc. whatever is with you in the moment. It's quite liberating and you will instantly comprehend the simple "rightness" of this practice.

Sustaining your connection to the present moment requires diligence and commitment.

But if you truly want to live in the space of bliss, discovery, contribution, and personal power, you must embrace the truth and let go of the illusion.

By no means should your pursuit of present moment mindfulness become a chore. Rejoice in the opportunity to discover each new moment.

And when you lose your connection and sink back into thinking-awareness, refrain from scolding yourself. Simply observe yourself in the thinking state and then return your attention to the sparkle of this pristine moment.

For more great insights on living in the present moment and finding your own purpose in life, be sure to visit the author's Websites. You'll find a wealth of information on the things that matter most in life.

Living in the present moment is the key to true happiness. If you can stop wrestling with your mind and learn to trust your true self, you will be rewarded.

A natural state of peace is easily available to you any time you choose to accept it. And the flow of spontaneous joy is yours when you simply let go of the need to control your thoughts and allow the moment to unfold.

Reality passes us by as we allow our minds to drift in the chaos of thought-driven awareness. But life is not nearly as stressful when we stop living in past regrets and future anxieties.

For many this premise is difficult to grasp. In fact it's not uncommon for people to become defensive, clinging to their right to be always anxious and overwhelmed by thoughts and mental conversations.

Perhaps you are also a bit put off by the suggestion to slow down and embrace the now. You may wonder: how can one simply stop thinking and enjoy the moment when there is so much to do?

But in fact life seems to slow down and become more manageable when you begin living fully in the present moment. Furthermore, you'll find more energy - both physical and mental - when you free yourself from the burden of constantly micromanaging your mind.

And best of all, your life will become once more refreshed and invigorating. You will live in moment-to-moment bliss, free to experience new feelings and ideas without trying to conform to any specific behavioral patterns.

Life is not meant to be mediocrity and predictability. Each day can and should emerge from infinite potential.

Consider that millions of people awake each morning dreading their routine and plunging right into the same thought patterns they went to bed resenting. Is it any wonder depression and stress-related illnesses are so prevalent in this society?

On the other hand imagine waking each new morning filled with the excitement of not knowing exactly what the day will hold. Sure you may be going to your regular job and engaging many of your standard activities, but because you live primarily in this moment there is no sense of turmoil or subtle resistance wearing you down.

And throughout each day, imagine the freedom you'll feel as you find and follow the flow of life. Rather than trying to talk yourself through every waking moment you will be listening to your intuition and acting according to your inner guidance system.

Center your awareness on this moment. It may help to shift your attention to the very center of your chest, behind your sternum.

Never mind anything that has happened before right now. And let go of anything that might happen at a later time.

Be aware of the space between you and this page. Allow your mind to flow and think as it pleases without interrupting or getting involved.

See if you can let go of everything and be right here in the now. And hold on to this awareness as the seconds and moments pass.

If you catch a glimpse of your essential self, of the "you" that resides behind the thinking mind, you'll see deep peace and stillness. You should know that it's your birthright to embody this stillness in every waking moment.

For more great insights on how to live in the now be sure to visit the author's Website. You'll also find plenty of great content on spirituality and life purpose.

Living in the present moment is a concept many people pay lip service to. But few of us actually engage this principle in our daily walk.

Admit it: You spend almost all of your waking minutes absorbed in thoughts of the past or future. Reflection, regret, anxiety, and apprehension account for the huge majority of your conscious activity on any given day.

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with thinking about the past or the future. In fact fond memories and exciting goals help to color our life experience in many wonderful ways.

But there is a serious downside to living perpetually in a future that doesn't yet exist and a past that is gone forever. An individual who spends most of his or her time immersed in past and future fantasies is placing tremendous strain on the intellectual mind, emotional faculties, and even the physical form.

And such a person is literally missing out on the real life experience of right now.

It takes sustained effort to push and process vivid thoughts about what you should have said, how you should have acted, the way things should have turned out, etc. Likewise you are burning substantial emotional fuel when you continually replay a negative potential future in the theatre of your mind.

This method of coping with existence keeps your thought centers in constant motion. And it pushes your emotional processes beyond their natural range of activity.

And observe how your shoulders draw up, your stomach pulls your frame inward, and the muscles in your face grow tight when you are lost in the thought-driven consciousness. It literally takes physical effort to maintain the constant day dreaming and mental chatter.

Living in the present moment you have full access to your mental power, emotional strength, and physical potential. When you relax your body, let go of those heavy thoughts, and allow your emotions to shift into a neutral pattern, you instantly feel lighter and more responsive.

You can refresh your whole life at any time by simply releasing your need to control and analyze and allowing what is to be. For many people this suggestion is far too simple; they need tension, complexity, and struggle to help them make sense of the world.

But profound truth is simple. All that we have and everything we are is right here and right now.

This statement defies the intellectual understanding most of us crave. You must experience the lucidity of present moment awareness for yourself to fully comprehend the rightness of just being.

When you sit quietly in the now you find no regrets and no anxieties. There is only the deep peace, sublime clarity, subtle power, and spontaneous joy of living.

Sages have taught the art of simple allowing for thousands of years. And now more than ever humanity needs to embrace this message.

Anyone can greatly reduce their level of stress, improve their focus and memory, and experience natural happiness by learning to center their awareness in the present. Moreover, you can harness vast stores of new physical, intellectual, and emotional energy when you release the illusion and allow the truth of now to unfold before you.

Visit the author's Websites now and discover how to easily and continuously live in the present moment and remain connected with your own spiritual truth.