What propels us out of the present? We are like children who don’t want to hear what Mom is saying. We look at everything else in the room except her face. Driven by our fear of inadequacy, our desire for the future, our guilt and frustration with the past, we welcome any distraction from the reality of now. To look peacefully into the face of the present moment requires acceptance. It requires acceptance of ourselves, acceptance of reality as it is in this moment, acceptance of the love and life available to us.
Setting time aside each day to focus on the now gives us the opportunity and practice that enables us to discover how rich and nurturing the present moment is. Initially we find that it is much easier to remain in the immediate moment when it is pleasant. It is easier to look our mother in the eye when things are cozy and warm. It is much more difficult to stay focused on the face of the present moment when she is stormy or we are frustrated. With a daily meditation practice, we discover that we can resist the temptation to look away. Eventually we discover that even when reality is exceedingly harsh, we can see and appreciate the kindness and beauty that also exists in the present.
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