SELF HELP
SUJAN SHAH
Mindfulness Practitioner and Keynote Speaker
Sujan Speaks
[email protected]
360-244-0891 | www.SujanSpeaks.com
The Pursuit of
LIVING IN THE MOMENT
Although it
is crucial
living in the
moment, it
has become
a difficult task. The
pandemic has forced us
to stay within the four
walls, left us anxious
with disruption of life,
financial strain, and stress
in relationships—the real
existential threat from the
pandemic. Striving to be
in the moment seems to
be an impossible dream.
However, there will
be an end to these
unprecedented events,
eventually, and we will
embrace the experience
of “the power of now and here.” As always, opportunities
are presented as difficulties. While solving this riddle of
the pandemic, the main question remains: what is living
in the moment, and how can we achieve it even during
these challenging times?
We have given senses that help us have experience
in the outer world and orient ourselves regarding the
world around us. Experience the pain, touch, taste, sight,
and sound around us. All these senses are nothing but
a trigger created by the outside. These senses are then
sent to the mind based on the input produced by our
nerves towards the brain. As soon all these senses gather
intelligence and submit to the brain, the brain interprets
and reacts or responds to the outer situation. It could be
pleasant or unpleasant. We experience the emotions of
joy, sadness, despair, or depression.
Before we react to any situation, the brain relies on
information gathered by the senses to respond or react.
Based on our level of awareness and mindfulness, the
mind either takes actions based on past images or
chooses to live in the moment. When we live in the past,
we are losing to live in the moment. It always comes and
goes just like any experience of joy, bliss, or beauty. It
works like our thoughts; we are in the thoughts or out
of it. We do not have control over our thoughts. Saying I
want to control my thoughts is like saying I want to control
all the ocean waves. Yes, it is something bigger than us.
Then the only option left is to observe and do not get
mixed with it.
But this does not stop us from achieving awareness.
Achieving the art of observation of thoughts and
emotions is based on our level of awareness. Mindfulness
and meditation can help us reach a greater depth of
calmness and prepares us to observe all the thoughts and
emotions created by the monkey mind. Our goal with
mindfulness is not to fight with the feelings and emotions
created by our mind, but to observe and let them pass
with time. I would personally risk anything to achieve a
higher level of awareness, so I can be ready to accept
“the me” for who I am rather than fighting with it. “The
me” is the construct of the ego-mind: created by the past
images.
Mindfulness is nothing but living with oneself,
observing, and accepting oneself without judging. The
art of accepting oneself without any attachments gives us
access to a higher level of awareness power to live in the
moment.
24 MOMENTUM