Present Moment Awareness

[JaredR]

How do you become present? For the most part I focus on my breathing, but I want to try more "tactics" for living in the now.

[Acting Like Godot]

Use your ears.

[nikki]

I find it really good to focus on all the things I can perceive at the present moment. Music is really helpful. Being totally absorbed in the motions of the task at hand is another. Some of the things I was told to focus on when I meditate is everything i can see, hear, feel and things like "It's a Tuesday" or whatever you need to try and keep your mind on the fact that you are here and now.

If you keep on thinking about random stuff... it's a good idea to pay attention to the random little thoughts that bubble to the surface. I guess not necessarily TO them, but to the fact that they have occured and then try and refocus to the moment. I think breathing is good, but not necessarily enough. Once you can keep your mind in the moment, then you should move onto breathing.

Keep practicing.

Much love.

x

[Acting Like Godot]

Note the tactile sensations.

[JaredR]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Use your ears.

After reading this I practiced it for about half an hour and it was very rewarding. I enjoyed taking in all the sounds I don't normally notice.

[Jarrod]

Observe externally with the five senses. Don't label just take it all in.

Watch internally to see your thoughts in your mind and your emotions in your chest.

Watch in both these ways and you will not miss the present moment.

[liverpool footballer]

I always find this phrase to be very powerful and simple when i read it

Let it be

[wachusettgirl]

Originally Posted by liverpool footballer

I always find this phrase to be very powerful and simple when i read it

Let it be

I love it, because recently I was in my car stressing over some silly thing and that Beatle's song came on the radio, it calmed me immediately.
Being out in nature, even if just for a short while, helps bring me back into the moment. Look at the sky, for example, and how can you not be in awe... Another thing I do is say an affirmation, like "I want to be present and in the moment" which sounds ridiculously simple, but I swear to God it works.

[st33med]

I think of what is happening right now. What is going on with that person over there? What should I say to advance my relationship with this person? What can I be doing? Can I find a flaw in that generalization he/she just said?

And, my personal favorite: What are the exit routes in case of a ninja ambush?

[eputkonen]

It is more kinesthetic than mental.

Really you are already present and can't be anywhere else...it is only the mind that thinks about past or future. Let go of the past and present. The mind can not think about the now...so the more you feel the now and experience it fully...the less the mind has to comment on and you are "present."

[Maguru]

In general, what is the purpose of being in the 'now' and what is experienced?

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Maguru

In general, what is the purpose of being in the 'now' and what is experienced?

Yes in particular the later part of that question is a good one for getting into the 'now'

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Maguru

In general, what is the purpose of being in the 'now' and what is experienced?

Generally, it would mean that you have no anxiety and no regret and will experience life fully as it unfolds, instead of being distracted by thoughts of things that aren't really there.

There is no "anxiety" because anxiety relates to the future. There is no "regret" because regrets relate to the past.

Personally I find that being in the now also raises your personal effectiveness and productivity, because you would focus all your energy and attention on things that you can actually do, right now.

[dancer]

Originally Posted by Maguru

In general, what is the purpose of being in the 'now' and what is experienced?

This question surprises me. I thought you had experienced it first hand. If not, then I recommend you experiment with it. Hello by the way. I like meeting you on the forums.

Love
Dancer

[ZHereford]

Originally Posted by JaredR

How do you become present? For the most part I focus on my breathing, but I want to try more "tactics" for living in the now.

Here are some tips for living in the moment I wrote in an article. I hope it helps!

Live In The Moment

Quotes on Living In The Moment

Cheers!

[bluedragon]

When you think about something else than what you are doing, you spend energy. In other words, when your mind goes away, a part of your energy goes with it. Constantly thinking intensely about remote things/ the distant future / thinking too much about things related to what you see around lowers your energy levels.
For me, I also found out that when my mind wonders for a long period of time, even if I want to concentrate on something, I find it difficult to bring myself back in the present.
As for ways to come back in the present, I find highly effective thinking about nothing, just noticing what's around me and interacting with it (for example if I'm walking down the street, cause that's when my mind tends to wonder the most). Focusing on the breathing also helps. But depending on how far away your mind is, there may be situations where nothing you do will suffice.
There are more reasons for which your mind may be more prone to wonder, for example an energetic imbalance, if you believe in chi.

[raphnix]

I feel my surroundings as for meditation.