Transform Your Inner World With This One Thing
Transform Your Inner World With This One Thing |
HOW THE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE CAN POWERFULLY CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE LIFE AND PERFORM IN THE WORLD. Anticipation slows time down.
Enjoyment speeds it up.
Presence makes it eternal.
I have countless times heard the admonition to "be present," for all its supposed benefits. But lately I've been incorporating the practice of presence in my life as a spiritual discipline. And I'm discovering that there's so much more to it, so much wealth, than I had originally thought. I used to assume that being present meant merely appreciating what's immediately around me. But there's actually power in the practice. The practice of presence has the ability to reveal what is hidden, free mental barriers, and fill us with joy for the gift of life. So I'm going to share with you what I've been learning about the practice of presence, how it has benefitted me, and how it can do the same for you. What Is The Practice of Presence?There are two aspects to this. There is the act of "being present" (verb) and there is "presence" as a state of mind (noun). There are two general "types" or goals corresponding to each of these: Focus and Awareness. Focus is active. Usually at play when running a race, playing a competitive video game, or giving a presentation at work. Awareness is more passive or receptive. The goal here is observation. This is helpful when connecting deeply with another human being, or regulating your own emotions, or uncovering hidden parts of yourself. Cultivating both types of meditative states of mind, I find, is enlightening and empowering for both growing as a person and taking on the challenges of life. The Power of AwarenessAs you know the brain filters out information from the conscious mind all the time, prioritizing what it thinks we should be focusing on. This is helpful because we can't be thinking about breathing when faced with high-stress, survival scenarios. However, when we seek to discover and understand ourselves, many things that are relegated to the subconscious hold clues and insights — like our bodies. Our bodies know when we are stressed, for example, before we are even consciously aware of it. It responds to positive and negative emotions like joy, anxiety, and peace before we even realize they are there. Plus, the body doesn't lie. We can often deceive ourselves about what we actually think or how we actually feel about something. But the subconscious reflexes of our bodies are a window into our true thoughts and emotions, if we are willing to be honest with ourselves. This gift can be given when connecting with other people as well. People are often unaware of their own body language, but you can notice them if you are being present with them. Imagine how much deeper your connection will be if you can help them uncover their own inner thoughts and feelings. That's the power of awareness. If sounds simple, but its deep. Some things can only be revealed with presence. Focus: The Waters of Your MindImagine your mind is like a pool of water with dirt at the bottom. A distracted mind is like the water being disturbed, caused the dirt to go everywhere, resulting in a muddy, opaque state. In this state, it's difficult to see truth, learn, and plan seeds of wisdom. A focused mind is one where the water is tranquil and clean. In this state, your mind is prime soil for learning and insight, leading to transformation. When one is in a fully present state of mind, time disappears, things become automatic, and you experience peace. What's crazy is that you even start to feel some level of enjoyment, even if you usually wouldn't enjoy the task or circumstance. We usually call this the "flow state." Freeing Mental BarriersI have no shortage of mental barriers. The more I dig into myself, the more I find. Those mental barriers include:
Awareness and focus are both needed to free ourselves from these barriers. Awareness to notice them and their source; I'm working on applying this to myself every day. Facing Life With SurrenderPracticing presence has positively affected how I'm approaching the everyday responsibilities and stresses of life. There are things I hate doing that is part of my job and circumstances I'm tempted to be bitter about that I can't change. And there're many thing causing me stress and anxiety. Being present, with both awareness and focus, showed me that how I feel about these things largely comes down to my own mindset and beliefs. And through this practice, I can start planting seeds of a perspective and stoicism that will increase both my contentment and my performance. Guiding OthersI want to help others understand the practice of presence and make the progress they need and want. Interestingly, the practice of presence is also a great way to guide others on their journey. By creating space for the soul to emerge and speak, amazing things like clarity, peace, and fulfillment can result. Stay purposeful. – Nathanael Thank you for being a part of my community! If you enjoy this newsletter, consider sharing it with others who might benefit from it as well! And if you want to reach out, you can reply to this email :) View website |
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