Being Present

By Jennifer Kelleher

In yoga, we often talk about the importance of being present. But what exactly does this mean and how can we practice living in presence?

My understanding of being present is very similar to being embodied. We are present when our minds, hearts, and spirits are in the physical body that exists now. Today’s society offers endless choices and distractions, which, if we are not conscious, can easily pull our minds in all different directions. This can feel incredibly confusing and, again, if we are not conscious, serve to complicate our lives. How do I know where I should be? What is my purpose? Am I in the right place?

The control­ling mind can make it complicated, but the answers are actually quite simple. We are always exactly where we need to be. If the mind is confused and triggering emotions, take its attention to the breath in the body. This moment is a gift holding endless possibilities and opportunities that can only be truly explored when all parts of us are here. The purpose then, is to be here in the body, with whatever is going on.

This can take great trust and faith, but when we are here in body, mind, heart, and soul, healing can happen, and everything unfolds exactly as it should.

Living in the present moment does not mean living without care and consciousness. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Living in presence is living in deep consciousness. The past continues to exist in our memories not so that we can get lost in it, but rather so that we can use it to inform us on the path we are on now. We can use the lessons of our past to help us make decisions that support a brighter and more aligned future.

To live in presence, we must also not get too pulled into the future. Living with our heads in the future deprives us of the joys and opportunities that exist now. The future is a product of the present. If we are not here, we end up missing the golden tickets to our bright future and getting where we want to go takes a lot longer. We can shape the future by visualizing how we want it to look and then coming back into the moment with the feeling of having already arrived. Embodying the energetic feeling of having everything the mind desires guides us to make aligned choices that will effortlessly lead us into the future of our dreams.

So, in a world full of distractions, how can we become more present?

The more you prioritize and practice presence, the more natural and effortless it becomes. One way to instantly come into the moment is by bringing your attention to your breath in your body. Another tool for presence is to pause and notice details about your current environment. What are: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can smell?

I invite you to join me at Ocean Bliss Yoga Studio on Wednesday, April 19 for a special sound bath where we will use intention, sound, and mantra to heal. At this event, you will also learn tools to be your own sound healer. Sign up under workshops at oceanblissyoga.net.