What does it mean to be present? How do we behave when we are present? Let’s go into this and see what the answers to these questions are. First what is presence. I think we can all feel it but how does one describe it? When one is present, they are very aware of what is going on around themat the present moment. They are not wandering off into their minds. I think that might be a very important point. Where is the point of attention when we are present? When we are present, we are not engaged in endless chatter with our mind, or vague imaginings or fantasies. We are here in the moment. We are the observer of the moment. And when we are present our chattering, ever projecting mind is quiet. When we are present we see more clearly as our attention is not distracted by the past or the future. We are giving the present moment our full attention.

Funnily enough, this is a very difficult thing for us to do. We seem to be eternally planning, plotting, fantasizing, remembering and judging. This has become our default way of being, when in actual fact the most beneficial way for us to be, would be when our mind is still and we are present. That brings two more questions up for us; why are we not present and how do we remain present. I will look today at how to remain present and another article we will look at why we are not in that state of presence as a default.

How to get present and remain so. There are many tools available to us to become present. Here are some that you might find useful. One of the most basic exercises is to name things around you. Just take a moment to name the objects before you. This focuses your attention back into the present and out of the mind. This is a very simple form of awareness. Another exercise that is very powerful is; to ask yourself at any given moment ‘where are my feet?’ This exercise also brings you back to the moment, your body and where you are. It is also very simple but very powerful. One more exercise that I use is breath. Take a deep breath, right down to your stomach and let it out slowly, saying ‘I am here now’. These three exercises I have found very useful. They are very difficult to remember to do throughout the day but if you take the time, you will find that you will feel more centered and clearer. It is very important that as one of the first most basic skills that you have is to be present. It is also very important that you practise one of these exercises many times each day until they become a second nature.

Do not be lazy and start for a day and then forget about it. This will lead you nowhere but back to your old habits. This is a bout creating a new habit and that takes time and discipline. If you want to change how your life is currently, begin one of these exercises now and be diligent. You will see the change straight away and most importantly, you will feel the change.

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