To live consciously in the here and now is fundamental to
many Eastern cultures and philosophies. And, I have come to
realise that it is an essential part of each of our lives if
we wish to attain optimum health.
The reason for this is simple. In order to be able to
balance all the aspects of a full and fruitful life, we need
to be able to appreciate exactly where we are right this
very moment.
The essence of this is acceptance. Acceptance of ourselves
as we are at this present point, acceptance of the world
that we have been born on, acceptance of our place in this
world. Acceptance is more like a absolute force of physics
than a fundamental truth, although I have found that
acceptance and truth are so entwined that they are
inseparable.
I have found that I, personally, can make no real forward
progress without truly accepting all the circumstances where
I find myself and also accepting the person I am right now -
with all my foibles, prejudices, fear, skills, experience
and potential. It is only when I have a clear sense of this
moment in my life, that I am able to truly transform. I
believe this is because when we let go of our expectations,
our worries and our fears, we naturally enter the movement
of life that is the flow of nature and the universe around
us. You do not have to think big, you simply have to turn
down the mental processes and still yourself enough to be in
touch with your intuitive or essential self.
Okay, I hear you say, that sounds like just what I want to
do, but where will I get the time, how can I release the
responsibilities of everything else I must do. And, if I
stop worrying all the time, I will stop being me, because
everyone in my family worries and I am a worrier. Right?
Perhaps not. Consider the possibility that several of the
most potent and I believe long term destructive things we do
are simply bad habits. Habits that we do not recognise as
habits only because so many people fall into the patterns
that they seem an inevitable part of life.
I KNOW that it is possible to reduce the time and energy we
waste on worrying. And I know that by doing so we can
instantly find ourselves in a less negative mind set.
I KNOW that we can care deeply and passionately about many
things, and still realise the habits of worry and anger.
I KNOW that fear need not stop us in our tracks, but that it
can be both a useful tool in growth and it can be
drastically reduced.
Best of all, I KNOW a simple way to prove this to you. All
you need to do is to be aware that this is possible, and
that you wish to progress beyond the place where you seem to
be trapped by old mind patterns and negative attitudes, and
the obsession to get everything done as quickly as possible.
Here we go:-
Whenever you have a moment to yourself - perhaps on the
train into work, whilst you are waiting for something to
happen, during a tea or coffee break (simply any time when
you are alone or when you are in a place where you are not
expected to interact with those around you e.g. in front of
a boring television programme will work for some people) -
try this:-
Focus your complete concentration on your breathing. Allow
your breathing to slow down and to become easy and calm.
Once you are in tune with the rhythm of your own breath,
then very slowly expand your awareness to the rest of your
body. Be aware of any tension, and let go it - sometimes you
will find it useful to tense a muscle or give it a we shake
or stretch to help you release the tension - great, do it.
Once you are feeling very clearly aware of your body,
slowing reach out your senses to the place you find
yourself. Allow your sense of judgement to be still. Just
look out, listen, smell, feel what is around you, as if you
had found yourself waking up in a book or movie. Simply be
aware of what your senses take in.
Then step back into the moment.
This wee exercise takes only a few minutes of time. It need
never prevent you from doing anything pressing in your life.
But I can guarantee that if you repeat it when you have a
few moments, when you think of it, preferably a couple of
times a day, but whenever - then you will be accepting this
moment more fully, you will be living in the here and now.
Because of that, you will be able to engage with your own
potential self. Try it. You have nothing to lose!
Some early reflections of the process
It is an art to learn to let time pass, to feel the flow of
it, quick and rippling, gentle eddying.
To push acceptance of self outward to the physical here. To
this place of comfort and rest and out - to the dear planet
on which we rest.
To unfold and to become part of the universe at this
instant.
And the next many moments. Allowing thoughts and feelings to
flash across the inner canvas of self, or lurk in the waters
of the lower conscious. To feel . To know. To be.
Still. Like a conscious meditation, a spiritual recharging.
And later sharing with a dear friend some aspect of the
inner picture, or capturing it gently in words, movement or
colour. Or not.
I am. And later, when I am ready, I will do.
Derby Stewart-Amsden runs her own business, Ashwhin, where she offers complementary therapies, holistic retreats, training and resources for individuals, groups and for the workplace. http://www.ashwhin.com. Derby also works with her partner, Peter Amsden, to bring this holistic and people centred approach into small business support. ASAT Productions - http://www.asat.biz.