You mind is a tool to use for practical purposes, but can you turn it off? This was a maddening line that I heard Eckharte Tolle ask on his CD “The Power Of Now” while driving in my car on the freeway about 8 years ago. Who could possibly turn off their thinking mind?
The harder I tried, the bigger I failed till I realized it had nothing to do with trying and everything to do with letting go.
In my experience I see presence arrive to those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Most of us have reached the limits of an illness, physical or emotional pain, heartache, material or physical loss or just living with barely enough to pay the bills and then bingo, a door opens with some kind of tool or information that pushes you to the next level, a peaceful level. Mine opened to “The Power Of Now” by Eckharte and “How To Know God” by Dr. Chopra and am eternally grateful for both.
I believe each of us can achieve presence in different ways and at different times.
I personally had to become the witness.
Have you ever tried to go through just half a day or an event as a witness? Just showing up and watching. Speaking only when needed, but placing no judgment on anything, anybody not even the weather?
It reminds me of my goal to “turn it off”.
All of us have had some experience with being really present by accident. Here are a few of mine:
A car accident that seemed to go in slow motion.
The birth of my son.
Learning of a friend or family member’s death.
Riding a bike for the first time.
Jumping off a 12 foot diving board into a pool for the first time.
A stupid indulgence with wasabi.
A Kundalini yoga experience.
Listening to a friend or loved one.
What are some of yours?
This is a great practice for letting go. Allowing the thinking part of you to take a day off so your “witness behind all those thoughts” can show up.
When you get good at becoming the witness your universal power kicks in and you begin to really participate in your life on another level. You will find no need to judge anymore including yourself.
I had to start feeling from the inside out.
Can you feel your energy body? If you close your eyes, can you feel your knees, hands, ears? This is another great exercise for getting in touch with “all of you”.
If you can bring this presence to a pain or sickness you can achieve great relief.
I had to turn it off.
Notice throughout your day when you are having repeat thoughts, useless thoughts or thinking when it is not needed. You may notice that starting this practice angers the ego and an inner war may begin. The ego does not like to be used as a tool, so get out your spiritual armor, preferably 2 daily meditation sessions in complete silence daily along with some type of yoga and breathing program. Start small, for example try to take a shower with no thought, or walk to get the mail with emptiness in your head. It will naturally become stronger and eventually you will have control over your off switch.
I see true presence in my 2 year old son and in my cat. Whatever moment of the day, I can look in their eyes and see spirit looking back, so peaceful. It is so different then someone who is full of mental energy.
Always Organically Yours,
Renay Matthews
Renay Matthews
I have these quite often. I learned them through a group called Avatar. They help you get in touch with your higher self and out of ego. Check them out @ http://www.avatarepc.com. They teach many easy ways of getting the same result. They also help train to gain control of your attention (for times when it seems you just can't get that song out of your head lol)
Love and Peace
Tom
Love it Tom! I will check it out.
Thank you,
Renay
X
"A stupid indulgence with wasabi"… too funny!
Bungee jumping was a truly PRESENT (and terrifying) activity. For a more mundane example, I love sitting at my kitchen table with a cup of tea and noticing how much the kitchen houseplants have grown new leaves.
I just love that Yumi! I have never had the guts to bungee jump, but have heard it get's you right into the moment. Maybe one day when I am older, or I will jump out of a plane like they did in that movie "The Bucket List" just for kicks. I agree about the plants too, Eckharte talks about how plants and animals can bring us into the moment.
Thanks for sharing,
Renay
X
Deepak Chopra said, we are truly present when we stop judging. What brings me to a present mind? Travel , cooking, body painting and watching my 3 yr old daughter play. Recently I did an Avatar exercises on awareness which worked as well.
Love
Marcell
Thank you so much for sharing this Marcell. We have the painting in common as well as watching our little ones play! I am going to check out the Avatar exercise for this, Thomas mentioned it as well.
With Love,
Renay
X
Thank you for this post Renay… its so insightful. I've read Eckhart Tolle and have absolute faith in the power of now and witnessing your thoughts however have not mastered the process as I get side tracked at times. But yes its very powerful just knowing that if you can just give yourself completely to now life looks so much brighter and beautiful.
Thanks for the reminder and I'm definitely going to work harder at achieving the above.
Love
Sati
I like Dr. David R. Hawkins descriptions of the 'arbitrariness' of thought – that is a learned, patched together DOS system of sorts – and not personal. When I think of it this way, it is far easier to remove identification or attachment to the 'preciousness' of my thinking. The bouancy that creates is lovely and it allows me to 'pick' new thoughts/ideas far easier. Kind of like trying on new clothes until you find a true fit: 'yes, this is me, it reflects my essence.' So lovely. Thanks for your post.
Rosalie
Renay, enjoyed your article/post/blog. I don't remember why I was doing it but just yesterday I was trying to remember a time of complete mindfulness, and the most intense and pure for me was actually skydiving. A time of no thoughts, even the absence of awareness, it felt like just pure presence and peace. Even just thinking about it now shifted me to another level of calm. Thanks for that anchor and the opportunity to go there again, will do that more regularly. =)
Poor old Eckhart and no, not a good idea to turn the mind off. To learn that thinking is not the be all and end all of what is our mind sure, but turning off the mind – go try it.
In quantum terms it's the 'superposition.' Who wouldn't want to be there. It's the point of choice and the point of infinite possibility.
We can be emotional, (wave) We can be 'rational' (particle) or any combination of both. The trick is to know that it all arises out of choice and returns to choice in the momentous,dynamic, self-adjusting rehearsal, and the music is ours to ultimately play as One Almighty Whole.
Did someone just play a bum note
Hugs,
ed
Thank you Sati, the beauty is the process and beautiful you are for just being here now.
With loving support,
Renay
Rosalie, I can't agree with you more. I like how you put "like trying on new clothes until you find a true fit!
Your essence is light and I appreciate you reading this post.
With Love,
Renay