What the heck does it mean to be present anyway?
And why is it so dang important?
Oh,
Let's take a deep breath on that.
When we're present,
It gives us the opportunity to really touch in with the moment.
Which means we're connected to our lives,
To our work,
To our relationships.
Why the heck is that so important?
Well,
If we're not present,
Then we're missing.
We're missing our lives.
If we're out in the past or out in the future,
Then we're playing at some script that doesn't really even exist.
And it's so easy as human beings to do that.
And for most of us,
That's how we've kind of moved about the world.
And the sad part is,
Is that when we move around the world like that,
I mean,
It's not sad,
But you know what I mean.
The reality of that is,
When we move around the world,
Always out in the past or always out in the future,
We tend to create stress and anxiety.
Because our cute bodies,
They really like being in present time.
And they can really only exist in present time.
So when we're always out and never fully home,
We're missing the experience of our lives.
It leads to craving,
Disharmony,
And even disease.
So let's put all of that in a bubble and just send it out from our space and let it pop.
And then start to deepen your breath.
Really get comfortable wherever it is that you're sitting.
If you can sit upright,
Please do.
If it's just not possible right now,
That's all right,
Too.
If it's just not possible right now,
That's all right,
Too.
Being present with what is.
Bringing love and friendship and kindness to what is in existence for you right now.
It's not always easy and it's not always comfortable,
But it is such a beautiful way to move about the world.
And it is something that we have to practice,
Most of us anyway.
And it is something that we can train ourselves to do more frequently in the practicing,
In the remembering,
And in the dance,
This grand dance of life.
So allow yourself to start paying attention to your breath.
If you can breathe in and out through your nose,
Bring your breath in and out through your nose,
Through your nose,
Paying attention to it as it moves in and out of your body.
Getting subtle in your awareness of your breath.
The breath is such a beautiful guide into present moment.
Feeling your breath move in and out.
Feeling yourself held wherever it is that you're sitting,
Supported.
Imagine yourself connecting.
Connecting to the earth.
Connecting to your breath.
Connecting to this moment.
And have a look.
Have a look at the quality of presence available to you at this time.
Is there resistance?
And that's okay if there is.
Can you show the resistance a way out?
Can you put your resistance in a bubble?
And let it float away from you and pop.
And bring yourself back to yourself.
Bringing yourself back to your breath.
Bringing yourself back to the sensation of being held in the moment.
And bring yourself in.
And if you have thoughts come up,
That's okay.
Just notice.
Is that thought taking you away from present time?
And if it is,
Can you put it in the bubble and send it out and let it pop?
If there are things that you want to think about,
That you want to analyze,
Can you be friendly?
How is your communication with that?
Do you need to let it go?
Do you need to acknowledge it?
Do you need to give it love?
Always trusting that your breath can bring you back into present moment.
That your breath only exists one breath at a time.
Trusting that whatever comes up can move through.
If there's something big,
Can you give it space?
And breathe.
Again,
Bringing your awareness back in.
Bringing your consciousness into a friendly environment.
And notice where you're holding,
Where you're clenching,
And if you can let it go.
Releasing any tension from around your hands,
Your shoulders,
Your jaw,
Your teeth,
Your tongue,
Your throat,
Your heart.
Letting the back of your head relax completely.
And like a beautiful wash of fresh energy,
Allow some bright light,
Some gold,
Some colorful light,
To pour down into you,
Into your body,
Into your being.
Refreshing and recharging and giving spaciousness to this moment.
And when you're ready,
You can stretch your hands and your arms.
You can roll your head and your neck.
You can drop your head and neck forward,
Open your hands,
Open your palms,
Roll your shoulders.
Start to open your eyes and greet the day refreshed.
Until we meet again,
Keep practicing coming back into presence.
