“Hope and fear cannot alter the seasons.” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
I envy those folks who can remain present in the moment, not affected by the past or the future. In scripture, we read ( in Matthew 6:25-34) about worry and needless preoccupation with the future. Especially helpful to me is verse 34. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
None of us need to add to the unsettled times in which we are living. There are troubles enough for today without us adding anything else. Our happiness, our peace is a moment by moment response to learning from what falls to us.
To counteract minds that drift from the past to the future, a habit to cultivate is experiencing the present or to put it more simply – to fully embrace this moment whatever it brings. There are all sorts of books and authorities on how to experience being in the present moment, not connecting the past or future to just now. Mindfulness training and learning to be present are big business these days.
Common Sense Solutions
To jump start the process of experiencing the present, try these no-muss, no-fuss common sense solutions.
- Sit somewhere that is comfortable. Devote at least 30 minutes to sitting, just sitting.
- Give thanks for the peace and quiet of the moment
- Stop worrying
- Begin to notice and let go of sounds, sights, thoughts, anxiety, and any distraction that interrupts your silence.
- If sitting doesn’t work, go for a walk regardless of the weather. Feel the weather. Let weather work its magic.
- Sit, breathe deeply, in and out, relax your muscles.
- If sitting and walking doesn’t work (by this I mean, if they are getting in the way of being still) lay down somewhere comfortable. I like lawns in the summer and spring, piles of leaves in the fall, and the coldness of lying in the snow in the winter. My new mattress is becoming my new “go-to” place to relax my muscles so the aches and pains of my body don’t disturb the present moment
- If and when the silence becomes too much for you, consider this. Recall someone who taught you a lesson that has comforted you when hope and fear seemed too overwhelming to trust.
- In your silence, let the divine connect with you. If you ask and remain open to “still, small voices” or “booming thunderous voices”, the quietness of the present moment will return.
- Allow your self to be inspired by artwork or music or quotes or photos. There is always beauty, truth, and goodness. Do you believe this?
Finally, up to this point, you have lived and overcome, perhaps even thrived all that has been thrown at you, good, bad and indifferent. You have adapted, regrouped, or set off in new directions. You are a survivor. So far today, you are still surviving. Survive with grace, bring your noble purpose to others to respond to their suffering. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Just finish today. It’s always worked out before.
Of course, as always, I could be wrong. One last thought – “For the wonderful thing about saints is that they were human. They lost their tempers, got hungry, scolded God, were egotistical or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them. Still, they went on doggedly blundering toward heaven.” (Phyllis McGinley -quoted in Paper Lanterns from The Sun)
Seasons come and go. Those days are gifts meant for you. One day at a time.