In this day and age meditation and mindfulness seem to be the buzzwords to get people into a blissful states of happiness. Which is all well and good but is presence the key to your happiness?
It's not that living in the present can make you happier, it's that being present is where happiness is. Being present is also where anger is. In fact it’s where all your emotions are. The difference is choice. Your chosen emotion is just that. Chosen.
In any given moment you are choosing thoughts that align with your preconceived notion of who you are. This is the reason two people raised in the same household could have different reactions to any given circumstance. Your perpetual choice of emotions determines your mood. As Winston Churchill once said, “The mood decides the fortunes of people, rather than the fortunes decide the mood.”
In this very moment nothing needs to be done in order for you to notice that You Are aware. Which can lead you to ask what Am I aware of? Any number of things can come to your awareness. You can become aware of the negative feeling or your breath, or even an old memory. The truth is the present moment is nothing more than a choice. It's what you choose to be aware of.
Meditation is the art of noticing. A suggested practice to do is "watch the show" which is when you sit/lay in a position that's comfortable but not too comfortable to fall asleep. And notice your thoughts. Notice how they come in to distract you or anger you or excite you. Just sit and watch those thoughts come and go. Your task is not to indulge your thoughts by holding your attention on them but rather allow them to pass like cars on a highway. If you sit with the presence long enough, you'll begin to notice they become less frequent and your inner silence will come to your presence. You'll begin to notice that you are not your thoughts/beliefs. And that is where your true power actually is. The Silence! 20 minute sessions is a great starting point if you choose to practice.
What you believe about yourself is what takes you out of any given moment. Once you begin to meditate on the silence by "Watching the Show" you'll be able to live a freer less reactive life allowing you to choose happiness when you want to.
Would you be interested in talking to me further about presence and the present moment?
Please email me at jerry@jerryemeka.com or visit jerryemeka.com
