Bridges to the present

Run here, do that, tick this box, get it done… At times it seems like there isn't much of a choice, but one thing has been on my mind lately. As much as we have lots going on, can we be present with the “in between” moments during our day? From the moment we wake up, to the transitions between places and/or meetings, the pause between conversations, the slowing down as we retreat to bed, the moments when solitude kicks in and, with it, a deeper recognition of what moves us and what's brewing inside. The tendency I have is as immediate as it is unconscious: to look outside, often expressed by reaching for the little device that lives in my pocket.

On one hand, cultivating presence in these moments offers me a beautiful gateway to contentment, focus, and connection to what is happening around me. On the other hand, it shows me with overwhelming clarity what drives my power away, what makes my life smaller, what shifts my energy to fear, worry, and a sense of lack. I find the analogy of surfing helpful when thinking of this; sometimes we come across some pretty scary waves, and we might even feel like we’re falling off the board, but sooner or later we are guided to calmer waters where we can catch our breath again. And this is the dance we're all in. As everyone else, I'm learning to surf and to see the vast ocean beyond these ups and downs.

We hear this in yoga classes again and again: “be present”. Sounds nice, but my experience is teaching me how this can be one of the most revolutionary things we can do. What looks to be a solo practice (stretching your hamstrings in downward dog or sitting in meditation) is actually political and global: can I be present when passing by a homeless person? If so, what happens inside? Do I doom scroll through the suffering other humans are going through on social media? Can I be present (even if it is for one breath!) with the discomfort of my addictions and, if so, can I listen to what's crying for connection in my heart? Can I be equally present to love and joy?

Cultivating presence invites us to not run away, but to take a sobering account of our own nature. The truth is: it's ugly and its beautiful. We all carry parts of ourselves that are selfish and oppressive, and we all carry parts of ourselves that loving and kind. This is the link between contemplation and action.

Here’s a few things I find particularly useful to create more Beauty when building bridges to the present:
- Declutter your physical environment. The condition of our physical surroundings have an immense effect in our mind.
- Turn off your phone for some periods of your day. Cut the useless distractions.
- Do one thing at a time.
- Lean into people, or a community, who you can be vulnerable with.
- Be of service to others.
- Does music brighten your Spirit? Maybe it’s the ocean? Or journaling? Or movement practices that help regulate your nervous system? Act on it and feel the momentum build.

The practice of presence continues to teach me to appreciate what is here and spend less time drowning in the fake news of my mind. I pray we can gather our courage and clear away the heaviness of past hurts, the drive to immediate gratifications, the narratives that sees us as "not enough", and all our selfish stories that tricks us to think we need to do something or go somewhere, rather than just being here.

With love,

Cx