Yoga & Presence
What Is Presence and 10 Ways to Bring More Presence into Your Day.
How attainable is 'now' really?
Through out my practice of yoga I have come to one intention more often then any other, and that is to be fully present, in the 'now', fully connected to my essence if you will. It is often what I feel a sense of begging and urgency for especially when life feels a little bit more frantic (completely self imposed though of course), but what is 'now'?
For me Now is so obvious one moment and complete ludicrous the next, I oddly enjoy the tug and pull, the satisfaction of returning to the present moment and it all just clicking,..... making complete sense..... all connected...... still........
In the Eight Limbs of Yoga (explained: https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/the-eight-limbs), the final limb is Samadhi(Sama meaning 'equal' and dhi meaning 'knowledge' or 'design'). Samadhi along with everything can be translated a vast number of ways, such as; a profound connection with the Divine, pure bliss, equal, a feeling of complete enlightenment, transcendence, to bring together and so many more, but really they all mean the same don't they? To become whole. To become apart of the present or rather return to the present.
Samadhi is believed to be reached once mastering the Seven Limbs of Yoga prior to this one, once we have we can then essentially become one through a deep meditation and reach Samadhi. I strongly agree with this but I also believe it is much more simple than how complex/daunting this can seem, I believe it is always possible to reach this, as soon as we realise we do not need to 'reach' for anything, we realise we are here right now, always are, always will be. For it is all we really truly have. The body is the way.
Another way to look at this is with the help of the word Satori. I love this word, I love the way it rolls off the tongue, the meaning, the simplicity, the sense of 'fuck yes I get it!' everytime I read it and drop into it. Satori means 'understanding', 'sudden awakening' ' a glimpse' and my favourite 'seeing into ones true nature'. Do you ever have those moments whether its when reading a self help book, going for a walk, watching a sunset, people watching, during a yoga class etc, when it all just makes sense, you're completely relaxed, and all of a sudden you feel enlightened.... and then bam you're thinking again, you're creating stories, adding to your to do list? Well that moment no matter how brief it may seem is Satori. A glimpse of your true self, our true self.
We are all connected.
We are all one of the same.
We are always here right now, for it is the only thing that ever exists.
'Everything is interconnected and contained in the present moment'
Can seem crazy hey? Or maybe it makes perfect sense to you.
Maybe you ask yourself how can this moment be all there is, especially when we are literally in such a temporary form? But why do we believe we are this temporal form? We are so much more than just this body, this identity. Drop in and you'll realise we are all the same, we are a drop, a wave and the entire ocean in one.
"Your are not a drop in the Ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop." - Rumi
Now, to me means to become whole again, to return to my true nature.
And yes this is absolutely attainable, and here's how;
~ Roll out your mat (or towel) and flow.
That's it! Let the body just flow, let the body feel silly if at first that is how it feels, that is still the present moment, embrace the body, the movements, the moment.
~ Practice poses such as: inversions, arm balances, Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) or really any balancing pose that requires the mind to be still and body to drown out the other senses.
~Sit somewhere in nature, ideally where there is no one around you and just observe the details of a leaf, or a flower, or a wave and even a grain of sand. Not only will you notice colours, textures, patterns, and beauty that perhaps you have never acknowledged before you'll be focused, relaxed and present. Effortlessly. Allow what you notice to just be.
Take photos of moments throughout your week where you felt connected
~ Meditate. Follow a youtube video, sit by the ocean and let the waves carry you into one, count your breathes, go to a meditation class, go for a run, whichever way feels best for you, do that! Even if there are just brief moments of being present (Satori). I highly recommend the app Insight Timer.
~ Book recommendations: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield (a creative story), and Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche
~ Go to a Yoga Class! Whether in person or online, going to a yoga class where you don't need to think about the flow, the sequence, how long it is going to take or 'should take' and just allowing yourself to be guided is a great way to learn, connect and become present.
~Follow a Youtube Video. There are literally countless youtube videos out there relating to becoming present, finding stillness and/or feeling a sense of deep connection, so explore, find a teacher that resonate with you and go for gold. Linked below are two teachers I adore.
~ Find what brings you joy (or love if you prefer), and do that. Whether is is painting, freediving, working out, creating music, climbing a tree, whatever it is do that. Allow the joy to arise, whether it is in the same thing (hopefully a multitude of things) everyday or it changes everyday, allowing joy to guide you to your true self.
~ Do 108 Sun salutations. Seems daunting, impossible, maybe even pointless at first right? But trust that it works, it's a beautiful moment to connect with the body, study your self (Svadhyaya) and be present. you can do it. For more information read this blog post "Why do we practise 108 sun salutations". by EkhartYoga.
~ And finally, Breath.
Connect to the breath, connect to the moment. Notice how intimately connected you are to the world within and around and watch the barriers melt.
Final words:
I could literally write about this subject for days on end, but for now this feels whole. As always there are a million interpretations to what you have read, to every word, to every explanation, and perhaps my interpretations will change over time and that is okay, my thought patterns will change, perhaps my beliefs even will, but, the present moment will always be here, always connected, always a moments of notice away.
