Why is Living in the Present Moment so Important?
When we are living in the past, we may feel regretful, guilty or we may feel sad. All of these thoughts and feelings bring us suffering. When we live in the future, it may also cause suffering because we are trying to achieve something or get something we don’t have right now. Either way, suffering is going to happen. We can learn from our past, but dwelling on it keeps us in the past and prevents us from learning a lessons.
The only way to truly feel alive is by being in the present moment. We may still suffer because of the story we are telling our self, but it will be easier to bring our self back into alignment through letting go of the story and just being with the feelings.
In a women’s retreat you will learn how the story from your past creates suffering and how to let go of the story to pave a more harmonious path into the future, no matter what is has to offer. You will also learn the importance of living in the here and now and how being fully present will aid in your happiness. Now being fully present may not be possible, but we can walk through our day in mindful meditation, that will show us where are minds are at, at any given moment.
Most of us live primarily in our heads and completely miss this amazing life we are living, along with the important lessons that go with it. For a moment, think about all the beautiful things you can experience in this world on a daily basis. The beautiful sky, the smell of rain, a hummingbird nesting babies, your cat curled up in a tiny ball, a bunch of flowers on your hike, or your child’s expression. When I go into this space of remembering the now, it blows me away. I get blow away not just because of the beauty but the way I feel in the presence of the moment.
It is only in the present moment that we experience being alive.
Life in all of its beauty and fullness is happening in the moment. When the ego mind is active and our thoughts are somewhere else, it’s impossible to experience the here and now fully. Our actual life isn’t experienced completely unless our entire mind and body are present. When our ego mind is chatting away like a crazy person it prevents us from experiencing our life in all of its glory. Even if the moment isn’t comfortable, it’s better to be with the uncomfortable moment fully.
“Do not ruin today with mourning tomorrow.”
― Catherynne M. Valente
