1. Saturday, August 29, 2009 1

2. What does living in the moment mean to you? Focus and intentional attention on the present Savor every moment (even the simple ones!) More aware of feelings and breathing More effort into the tasks at hand – being more thoughtful Being an observer of your thoughts Being right here right now Stop worrying about the future or reflecting on the past The present moment is a gift given by Swami and it comes beautifully wrapped with His love! 2

3. Various perspectives on living in the moment … We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery. H. G. Wells (1866 - 1946) Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such. Henry Miller (1891 - 1980) How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl, 1952 Seize the moment of excited curiosity on any subject to solve your doubts; for if you let it pass, the desire may never return, and you may remain in ignorance. - William Wirt My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. - Oprah Winfrey You must be a Lotus, unfolding its petals when the Sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or even the water which sustains it! – Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba 3

4. The precious present… It makes you happy forever… Its a gift that you give to yourself! When you have the present, you will be perfectly content with who you are and where you are at this very moment. The present is not a magical carpet, lamp or a ring! You need not go searching for the gift. Its right here, within you. When we see the present, accept the present, and experience the present, we are well, and we are happy. Pain is simply the difference between what is and what I want it to be. 4

5. In daily life, what are some ways in which we lack mindfulness? AT WORK We fantasize about being on vacation; on vacation, we worry about the work piling up on our desks. We fantasize about being on vacation; on vacation, we worry about the work piling up on our desks. Any other examples? Any other examples? AT HOME AT HOME Arguing about something that is inconsequential or unimportant thus wasting precious present time. Arguing about something that is inconsequential or unimportant thus wasting precious present time. Any other examples? Any other examples? AT SCHOOL AT SCHOOL Worrying about an exam or a project that is due instead of using that time to work on it. Worrying about an exam or a project that is due instead of using that time to work on it. Any other examples? Any other examples? 5

6. What prevents us from living in the moment? Too many desires (Greed) Jealousy, Anger, Ego Unaware of our potential Grass is greener on the other side Lack of focus on the goal Monkey minds! Procrastination Taking life for granted (There is always a tomorrow!) Living life for others 6

7. How can we learn to live in the moment? Simple and practical meditation techniques Watching your breath Play with or talk to children Practice Forgiveness and Appreciation Satsangh or good company Ceiling on desires Live every day as if there is no tomorrow (what if today is as good as it gets!) Develop Unconditional happiness and joy Enjoying simple things in life 7

8. This is certainly a start, dont you agree? 8

9. As good as it gets…. Steve Strauss, a professional speaker and personal coach at www.strausUSA.com suggests that you ask yourself … "What if this is as good as it gets? www.strausUSA.com Steve said, "While driving down a quiet country highway, in the clear winter sunlight, that question popped into my mind. My first reaction was to see that I had spent a huge part of my life fantasizing about the future, when things would get "better". "When I let go of requiring that the future be any certain way - Poof! Suddenly I became content with what I had now. To realize that right now is great has led to gratitude and a surge of energy and strength. N – O – W = New Opportunities Waiting 9

10. Learn to notice and appreciate the beauty around us…. 10

11. What is your mindfulness IQ? Do you fear being talked about or judged? What are you controlled by? (person, habit, substance, fear, behavior) Whom do you fear? Whom do you need to control? From whom do you need approval? What fears control you? What are the beliefs about yourself or others that you hold that hurt your heart or impede you from living the life you wish? Make a list of everything you know you should do but don't. Make a list of everything you know you shouldn't do but do. What do you feel guilty about? 11

12. Some tips for mindful driving Switch off the radio and experience the silence. Switch off the radio and experience the silence. Slow down. Driving just a fraction under the speed limit can take away a lot of tension. Slow down. Driving just a fraction under the speed limit can take away a lot of tension. Notice your attitudes. Often we become competitive while driving, and this leads to tension. Notice your attitudes. Often we become competitive while driving, and this leads to tension. Practice being more aware of the other traffic around you. Practice being more aware of the other traffic around you. As drivers pass you, wish them well. Repeat, May you be well, May you be happy as cars cut you off. As drivers pass you, wish them well. Repeat, May you be well, May you be happy as cars cut you off. Use every stop light or any other necessary stop to practice a fuller mindfulness of your body. Use every stop light or any other necessary stop to practice a fuller mindfulness of your body. If you dont drive, but take public transport instead, then wish your fellow travelers well, radiating loving kindness towards them. If you dont drive, but take public transport instead, then wish your fellow travelers well, radiating loving kindness towards them. 12

13. Other reference resources The Power of Now – By Eckhart Tolle Life Manifested and Unmanifested The Ego and the deeper presence Life under the power of the ego Life in the power of Now 3 Ways of Transformation Practicing the Power of Now – By Eckhart Tolle Path to "a life of grace, ease, and lightness Meditation and other simple techniques How to free ourselves from being a slave to our minds 13

14. Some points to ponder… If we only thought about the present, how do we plan for the future? If we dont keep our eyes on the future goals and work toward them, wont that make us lazy? If we are not supposed to think about our past, how are we to cherish good memories? If we dont think about our past mistakes and learn from them, how are we to improve? How are we to deal with a situation where it is better NOT to live in the moment or focus on the present. 14

15. Swami says… You are an embodiment of Divinity. The Divine Principle in you is eternal. That lives today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. Hence, treat the past, present, and future as one even though our experiences in the three phases of time are different. Do not give much credence to these experiences. Past is past; it will not come back. We are not sure of future. Present is the only reality with which we should be concerned. This is not ordinary present, but omnipresent, because the past as well as future are present in it. 15

16. Let us pray to Swami… Thank you Swami… For giving us this opportunity to discuss mindfulness. For making us realize that the past is history. For showing us that the future is a mystery and For teaching us that the only time we really have is NOW - just this very moment. For guiding us, so we can live every precious moment to the fullest, so that some day in the future, our past would speak volumes of the worthwhile life we have lived. 16

17. JAI SAI RAM!! 17