Learning to live in the present

By living in the past or the future, we're robbed of enjoyment of current situations. We're too focused, imagining a possible conversation with our partner in the future, or stressing over a meeting gone awry in the past, to enjoy the current moment we're in.

Tips for living in the present:

• When you're doing an activity, pay attention to every small detail.
• Don't multi task. Focus only on what you're doing right at the present moment.
• Try and notice when your mind is wandering off. As soon as this happens, draws it back to what is immediately around you, and focus instead on this. Take several deep breaths and try and feel yourself sitting, or standing. Focus back in on this instead.
• If you find it hard focusing on what is present, try closing your eyes, and centre your breathing. With each breath in, imagine you're breathing in harmony and peace, and with each breath out your relieving yourself of any tension and baggage.
• Pay attention to your senses. What do you see/feel/think/smell/taste? Focus on each of these things individually and just enjoy the fact that you're feeling these things in the moment.
• A fun exercise is to pretend your seeing things for the first time. Take a moment to appreciate the small details of things, like the bark on trees or the grooves in a table.

For more meditation exercises to help you live in the present, visit Meditation Australia.

Are you finding it hard to balance time in your life? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

I am so unbalanced right now juggling husband,children and running two businesses(part time) there is no me time

Posted by Mandy from WA on 5/04/2010 4:25:25 PM

I've tried mindfulness meditation and it does work, but youmust do it every day to get your stress levels down.

Posted by linda from VIC on 20/08/2010 10:20:01 AM

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