What "here and now" Really Means

In this current twenty-first century life, it can be hard to know what to tell our monkey mind when it's dwelling on the past or spinning into the future. Given the fast pace and hectic schedules most of us keep, a base level of anxiety, stress, and unhappiness is the new norm. Most people may not realise it, but their inclination to be dragged into the past and the future can leave them exhausted and out of touch with the current moment. There is always something ahead that we would be scrambling and preparing for. Reminders, notifications, and alerts keep us on our toes and ready for what's next. We are also constantly reminded of the past; both good and bad because we have the ability to keep our lives well-documented with photos and social media. It has never been easier to drown in nostalgia, memories, and even bad decisions. This has effects on our well-being and the way we lead our lives.

We all have happy memories that we enjoy revisiting and painful memories that we can’t let go. But both nostalgia and remorse can be traps, closing us from new experiences and keeping us locked in the unresolved past and/or the good old days. Just as the past is unchangeable, the future is unknowable. A certain amount of planning is useful and good preparations for a various scenario ahead, but when these thoughts tip into repetitive anxiety and worry to unrealistic aspirations, they are no longer productive.

The cure for this condition is what so many people have been saying all along: conscious awareness and a commitment to staying in the “now.” Living in the present moment is the solution to a problem people may not have known they had.

This may all seem wonderful, but what exactly does it mean to "live in the present moment"? How could we possibly be living somewhere other than in the present? Being in the present moment, often known as the "here and now" indicates that we are conscious and mindful of what is happening right now. We are not distracted by ruminations on the past or worries about the future, but centered in the here and now. All of our attention is focused on the present moment. When our mind continually returns to thoughts of the past or future, look for the clues in the present. Is your mind seeking to shield or distract you? Instead of thinking about what mattered in the past or what the future might hold, gently guide the mind back to the moment. Ask questions right now: what is missing in the moment, what is unpleasant about today?, what would I like to change?

Ideally, when we talk to ourselves about the present, we look back on the negative and positive elements of the past as the imperfect road that brought us to where we are, a life that we accept and from which we can still grow. And ideally, we also think of the future in context of the present, an opportunity to realize the promise of today.

Author Myrko Thum (2008) beautifully describes “The present moment is the only thing where there is no time. It is the point between past and future. It is always there and it is the only point we can access in time. Everything that happens, happens in the present moment. Everything that ever happened and will ever happen can only happen in the present moment. It is impossible for anything to exist outside of it.”

One of the aims of mindfulness and a key factor in living a healthy life is to balance our thoughts of the past, the present, and the future. Too much of any of them can have major negative consequences in our lives, but maintaining the three in balance will allow us to be happy and healthy individuals. Some of the ways to live the “here” and “now” are:

·        Soak in your surroundings and physical environment.

·        Journal or Write "morning pages" to kick-start your day.

·        Focus on one thing at a time.

·        Use a cue or sign that will remind you to stay grounded.

·        Practice yoga to connect with the present moment.

 References:

• Thum, M. (2008). What is the present moment? Myrko Thum. Retrieved from http://www.myrkothum.com/what-is-the-present-moment/

• Shetty, J. (2020). Think like a monk. Simon

Disclaimer: This blog post is meant for awareness/entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice and one must refrain from self-diagnosing. It is in no way a substitute for therapy with a mental health professional and it is not meant to be clinical. To consult with a psychotherapist on our team, you can contact us on fettle.counselling@gmail.com.