Nowness

This is actually long overdue because it was meant to be posted after I read an article about present moments and it triggered some thoughts in me. Some of the things the author mentioned was quite common sense but it is also some things that we usually take for granted and put it at the back of our mind.

Present moments are unbelievably rich. Much happens, even though they last only a short time.

However, the present moment does not whiz by and become observable (as the past) only after it is gone. Rather, it crosses the mental stage more slowly, taking several seconds to unfold through a lived emotional drama. This is of great importance because it puts time back into experience. It is the "Here" and "Now" that has the greatest power in bringing about change.

The nodal events that change one's life course usually occur in a moment that is experienced as key, not only after is happened, but also while it is happening. Consciousness is the main criteria used to identify episodes containing present moments. Are you conscious of now?

The present moment can be held hostage by either the past or the future. The past can eclipse the present by casting so strong a shadow on it that the present can only confirm what was already known and can add little more. Our past experiences, and learning from other's experiences showed us how true this is. Ultimately, our choice of actions now are mostly dictated by social learning since young. It is only the rare adventurous few that takes a leap of faith or just want to be different from their/others' past.

The future can also annihilate the present by reorganizing it so much and so fast that the present becomes ephemeral and almost passes out of existence. More often than not, we're taught to be forward looking. Plan ahead. That's what we're taught/told to do. Do you find yourself planning to much that you end up living your present moments striving for something that is meant to happen in the future, that you lose the power of now? I'm not being a pessimist, but the question is, will you live to the moment of the future to reap the fruits of your labour?

I feel like saying things such as "Will you really be happy with what you have then?", or "What if you end up regretting because you spend to much time working so hard that you did not live life to the fullest, and gain all the excitement and 'life' that you could have gotten instead?". I shall keep the comments to myself, and continue part of the follow up in my next post, which is also long overdue.