The Moment of Now

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. - John Lubbock

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to really be present in each now moment, to multi-task less and cultivate more mindfulness in the day-to-day.

According to one translation of the yoga sutras, sutra 1.1 says “Only in the moment of now can Yoga occur.” In this context, “Yoga” is referring to samadhi (enlightenment).

Makes sense, right? It’s more difficult to be “enlightened” when you’re multi-tasking, texting, and rushing off to the next thing.

But when we slow things down, we begin to notice the space between our inhales.......and our exhales.

In that space we can practice observing our thoughts instead of thinking the thoughts, imagining each thought is like a cloud in the sky drifting away.

In these moments, we can hear that small voice inside of us that whispers the truth. We can connect to the larger ocean of awareness  that exists all around us. We can allow the lines to blur between ourselves, the trees, the grass and the sky and realize that we are all one and the same.

In these days of physical distancing and isolation, it’s nice to feel that connection. So, sometimes I just lie on the grass for awhile and soak it in.

What’s your favorite way to slow down and become present?