I cannot ever find the present.

[leftyladyfrommo]

It's too fast. I feel like I am always just stepping directly into the future.

Actually, it is kind of exciting.

[knowbody0]

1. how lovely for you

the past is history, the future is mystery!

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. It is kind of fun. Every second is a step into the future.

And absolutely anything can happen at any time.

I read about that phenomenon first from Pema Chodron. And the more I tried to catch the present the more I realized it was impossible. It is just a nanosecond and then I am into the future.

[ZombieHorde]

3. Jump into a cold body of water. nt

[FreeState]

4. Thats actually a great recommendation

I just finished listening to a podcast on Mindfulness and the speaker (Dori Langevin) focused a lot on being mindful of the body as a means to coming to the present moment. She goes into paying attention to the body 80% of the time - even when listening to Dhamma talks :) Another great recommendation is Walking Meditation if you have not tried that.

Here's a link for anyone thats interested: http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/56/talk/6361/

[onestepforward]

5. This is how I learned to be in the present moment.

Gently relax and focus your attention on your breath and breath normally without trying to control it. While you are breathing in, feel the air going through your nose and simply pay attention to it. Same thing while breathing out. Every moment that you are paying attention is the present moment.

The biggest thing that I've learned is to simply pay attention, even while doing mundane chores like washing dishes. What you want to try and do is to not let your mind wonder into the past or into the future. Easier said than done, but worth the effort! :)

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. That is what I was trying to say - it's not really the present moment

because the present moment happens to fast that you can't catch it. You are just constantly slipping into the future. I do think that watching the breath while meditating - or just during regular daily life is probably the closest we will ever come to being in the present.

I think Pema Chodron talked about this. Every moment we are really stepping into the future. It does keep daily life exciting when you look at things that way.

[onestepforward]

7. Pema is a wonderful teacher.

I have several of her books but I really love her CDs. Her voice and laughter are comforting for me. :)

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. I have many of her books.

She has such a way of making things clear.

[sam sarrha]

12. her "When Things Fall Apart" saved my life, i listened to it 2-3 times a day, quit drinking after

28 years od hard core alcoholism. led me to Jack Kornfield.. Robert Thurman, Sharon Salsberg, Dali Lama, Rob Nairn... many more.

[AllenVanAllen]

9. "Every moment we are really stepping into the future."

Yes, this is true. Time does not stand still but we can be still. Well, at least our mind can be still.
When do you actually experience the future? In the present moment.
The future is only something we can think about but all of our true experience can only be lived in the present moment. The thing that keeps us from paying attention to this moment is thinking about the future, or the past.


We should plan for the future but we should be fully present when we do. We miss so much when we become lost in thought.

Peace. :hi:





"Life is in the being...not the doing."

[Mari333]

10. well there is no past there is no present and there is no future

at least thats how I 'feel'. so, I just sort of look at it as some weird dream I must be having that will hopefully end when I can get the hell out of my body for good. until than, its just some fantasy (for me).

[RagAss]

11. Stop looking for it...and it will find you.