What it really means to ‘Be in the Present’?

Nowadays we can frequently hear that how important is ‘to be present’. It is also said that only the now exists and if we are not in the ’here and now’ we cannot really live through, we just act.

It is absolutely natural that some of our thoughts are related to the past or that we sometimes dream about the future. The past events make an impact – one way or the other – on our present situation and in terms of our development visions and plans related to the future are important too.

But when our lives are overwhelmed by thoughts related to past events and emotions, and our actions are directed by expected future results, then it becomes increasingly rare that we find peace in the present moment.

The Present as a state gives us the opportunity to find satisfaction and understanding within ourselves.

Habits easily turn into norms but the fact that we are doing something regularly does not necessarily mean that the activity will also be in favor for us. A simple way of breaking patterns is the identification of the time.

The time is a human concept. For Mother Nature the watch on our wrist or the clock hanging on the wall does not mean anything. To her, life is a perpetual cycle of interdependent transience.

The time - that we use as a reference point to organize our lives and to record history - it does not exist. The one that actually controls us is some ways an illusion.

There is neither past nor future. The only real reference point that influences the present moment is the ’existence’. It is only this that can take form because it is the only one that we also feel right now. Neither we feel the past or the future, but we do have feelings about how it is to touch or hear something at this moment.

With its passing and upcoming arrival, the concept of time deceives us. It hinders us to enjoy the ‘presence of being’. The first case is when someone is always mulling over the past, ’how it would have been if it had occurred otherwise. The second is who is continuously wondering what is to come, if and when...

Have you ever noticed yourself not being able to enjoy a pleasant Sunday evening, just because you are thinking about what awaits you Monday morning at your workplace?

Or the opinions of others formed about you in the past, stop you to be who you really want to be in the present?

To a certain extent, we are all victims of time, because in our fast-paced and highly motivated society time has become the accepted norm. But what we can do wherever we are and whatever we are doing, ‘we can absolutely be there’ and fully live the present moment.

The theory about ‘Being in the present’ can be a useful advice - if we interpret it in a broader sense. It reminds us to be more conscious. When emotions, thoughts, desires find us, we can notice them and gently afford them to continue their existence without grasping into them. We can find a more peaceful state if we provide space to the whole spectrum of current experiences.

How can we do all this? And how it relates to yoga?

The key comes through practicing and raising awareness. First, do not want to quit forcibly your mind! Though accept that you are not the same as your thoughts! Just breathe to live life!

If you put your attention on breathing, you can consciously feel that it neither happens voluntarily or involuntarily. The breath is something that you are doing it and it is happening ’by itself’. When you focus on your breath, you immediately get into contact with the ’now’, because as your breathing the present is a ’co-creation’ that you do and do not convert. Practice conscious breathing during your yoga practice; and enjoy the beauty of the present moment!

Mit jelent valójában a "Jelenben lenni"?

Mostanában gyakran halljuk, hogy milyen fontos a jelenben lenni. Mondják, hogy csak a “most” létezik és ha nem az “itt és most”-ban vagyunk, akkor nem is igazán éljük át, amit éppen cselekszünk.

Teljesen természetes, hogy gondolataink egy része a múlthoz kapcsolódik vagy, hogy olykor a jövőn álmodozunk. A múltbeli események, így vagy úgy, de mindenképp hatással vannak a jelen helyzetünkre és fejlődésünk szempontjából a jövővel kapcsolatos víziók, tervek is fontosak.

 De amikor életünk felett elhatalmasodnak a régi eseményekhez kötődő gondolatok és érzelmek vagy cselekedeteinket a jövőbeli eredmények irányítják, akkor egyre ritkábbá válik, hogy a jelenben is békére lelünk.

A jelen, mint állapot lehetőséget ad arra, hogy megelégedettségre és megértésre találjunk önmagunkban.

A szokások gyorsan normává válnak, viszont abból, hogy valamit rendszeresen csinálunk, még nem következik, hogy az a tevékenység a javunkra is válik. Egyszerű módja a szokások megtörésének az idő azonosítása.

Az idő egy emberi fogalom. Az Anyatermészet számára a csuklónkon lévő karóra vagy a falon lógó falióra semmit sem jelent. A természet számára az idő a függő mulandóság örökös körforgása.

Az idő, amit mi referenciapontként az életünk rendezésére és a történelem rögzítésére használunk, valójában nem létezik. Ami minket kontrollál, az bizonyos szempontból egy érzéki csalódás.

Nincs múlt és jövő sem. Az egyetlen igazi referenciapont, ami erre a pillanatra hat az időben, az a “lét”. Csak ez létezhet, hiszen ez az, amit most is érzel. A múltat vagy a jövőt nem érezzük, de azt igen, hogy most milyen érzés valamit megérinteni vagy hallani.

Az idő fogalma a minket érintő események múlásávál és a közelgők érkezésével megtéveszt minket. Gátol abban, hogy élvezzük a JelenLétet. Az első eset, amikor valaki mindig a múlton rágódik, hogy mi lett volna, ha másképp alakul, a másik pedig aki, folyton azon gondolkozik, hogy ha majd az akkor és így megtörténik, akkor mi várható.

Észrevetted már valaha magadon, hogy például nem tudsz élvezni egy kellemes vasárnap délutánt, mert már azon gondolkozol, hogy hétfőn a munkahelyeden mi vár rád?

Vagy mások Rólad alkotott múltbéli véleményei gátolnak abban, hogy az legyél a jelenben, aki tényleg szeretnél?

Egy bizonyos mértékig mindannyian az idő rabjai vagyunk, hiszen rohanó és erősen motivált társadalmunkban ez lett az elfogadott norma. Amit viszont tehetünk, hogy bárhol is vagyunk és bármit is csinálunk, „ott vagyunk” teljesen, megéljük a pillanatot.

„A pillanatban lenni” elmélet egy hasznos tanács lehet, ha ezt egy kiterjedtebb módon értelmezzük. Emlékeztet minket arra, hogy tudatosabbak legyünk. Amikor az érzelmek, gondolatok, vágyak megtalálnak bennünket, akkor észrevehetjük őket és kedvesen megengedhetjük, hogy jelenlegi formájukban tovább létezzenek, anélkül, hogy beléjük kapaszkodnánk. Egy békésebb állapotra lelhetünk, ha helyet adunk a tapasztalatok teljes jelenlegi skálájának.

Mindezt, hogyan tudjuk megtenni? És hogy hozható ez kapcsolatba a jógával?

A kulcs a gyakorlás és a tudatosítás. Először is ne akard erőszakozan lecsendesíteni az elmédet! Viszont fogadd el, hogy Te Magad nem vagy azonos a gondolataiddal! Lélegezz, hogy megéld az életet!

  

Ha figyelmedet a légzésedre irányítod, akkor tudatosíthatod, hogy az nem is igazán önkéntesen és nem is igazán akaratlanul történik. A légzés olyasvalami, amit Te végzel, és ami “magától” történik. Amikor figyelmedet a légzésedre irányítod, akkor kapcsolatba kerülsz a jelennel, mert mint a légzésed, a jelen is egy “társ-teremtés”, amit Te és nem Te alakítasz. Gyakorold a jógagyakorlatok közbeni tudatos légzést és éld át a jelen pillanat szépségét!

Get Earthy can be “worth-y”!

We tend to concentrate on the above. Looking up, watching the stars with admiration, letting our thoughts get lost in the great mystery. We wish to rise, increase, grow, augment - but it is worthless to float into an endless bubble if we are missing the ground.

Our heart also craves the stability to find balance in life. Therefore, as much as we try to lift ourselves, we need to send our energy down, into the Earth.

We are part of the Earth and it is part of us. This Earth is what we all have in common. This time I would like to put emphasis how we can consciously cultivate our connection to the ground. What does it mean to get grounded?

In nature Earth is everything that is solid. So like in our body 12 % is Earth forming solid structures. Bones, muscles, skin, tissues and hair are all Earth elements of our physique. In the moments of stability our body seems to tap into the calmness of the Earth. In those stable moments our body remains still while our mind find quietness, we are experiencing the miracle of Now

So how can we find that inner stability, strength and balance?

The answer seems to be simple: by grounding.

Putting our yogi feet down on the mat we should turn our attention to the foundation. Just by bringing more “Earth-awareness” into our practice we can build a firm base of support.

We are able to root down ourselves with steady and solid poses such as Tadasana (Mountain pose), Vrksasana (Tree pose), Malasana (Garland pose), Balasana (Child’s pose) and Utkatasana (Chair pose) etc. Feel the ground under your feet, feel that Mother Earth is holding and supporting you.

Doing Asanas (yoga postures) is definitely a very efficient but not the only way of surrendering to gravity. We can explore our connection with the Planet and the beauty and wonders that it holds by going for a long stroll into nature. Do you remember when was the last time when you went for long walk through the forest? Have you ever hugged a tree with your bare arms and hands?

One of my powerful “Earthy” experiences is related to Nepal. In October 2014 I had the chance to visit my kind university friend in Kathmandu and then trek in the stunning Annapurna region. It was a journey of an amazing variety of landscapes ranging from sub-tropical through alpine peaks to an arid semi-desert akin to Tibet. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapuchhre (6993 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m) it was mostly an inner journey. I was standing and watching this incredibly spectacular view and actually started to sense my feet on the ground.  I became aware that I couldn’t go higher if I am missing the foundation under my feet.

Realizing that it is the Earth that supports me, I got to understand that this support, when fully allowed and experienced, not only energizes me but also helps me to be present.

Going beyond the physical aspects we also find “roots” in our life. Nourishing relationships with family and friends is part of building a firm base of support. Hugging someone, looking into someone’s eyes - in all the moments of connection we are connected to something tangible, the strong Earth.

So let yourself to be grounded! Once you have found your ground, you are on the path but obstacles will still come. Life will bring you situations to reinforce your inner stability, strength and balance. Take these challenges as opportunities knowing that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. Feel the power within you, feel the support of Pachamama and feel what it feels to be alive.

Magnificence Near and Inside the Ocean

I share the view that healing comes from Nature. And yoga is definitely a healing process. Playing with the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether or Space – my intention is to incorporate the healing power of the Nature through Tropical Yoga. Today I put focus on the one with which I have a special relationship from my early childhood.

“There is so much magnificence near the Ocean” sing in the song Miten & Deva Premal. Feeling the truth of the lyrics in my whole body, I would add near and inside the Ocean.

Have you ever thought about how can something be gentle and soothing, yet powerful and authoritative? How beautiful it is that the Ocean continues to kiss the shore no matter how many times it has been sent away?

I have always found myself attracted to the Ocean. From early age I have a habit to swim as far as I can hardly see the coast. Among childhood memories it is common holiday picture in my mind that my Mum is standing on the shore a bit worried waiting for me while I am experiencing complete freedom in the Blue.

With the years this fascination has become deeper, especially when I have discovered diving in 2005 and it opened up a new world for my senses. While I get some insights of this unknown beauty in the Deep my soul feels to be overwhelmed, my mind is boggling and my heart is filled with joy. And this is an endless journey, the mysterious face of the water just allows to see a little piece, but the most is undiscovered.

How is it related to yoga?

In my understanding yoga is an approach. It applies to any conscious activity, method that allows us to be present, find unity with the Inside and the Outside, and connect with the Universe. Anything that can be used as a toolbox to open the heart, expand the mind, recharge the body and harmonize the spirit is yoga.

When I do diving it is an underwater meditation for me. I am in the very moment, breathing steadily. I take the role of an insider and the outsider at the same time. On one hand I am in and for a little time part of this Blue magic. On the other hand I am just an observer watching what is happening around me.

I open myself and feel that the Ocean can be a mirror of me. I am asking what is there deep down in me? What is yearning to come to the surface and get discovered?

“Waves are the voices of tides. Tides are life.” [1]

The Ocean is limitless and immortal. It carries so much wisdom and guidance.

So let’s listen to its teachings, open us to the deepest transformation, appreciate the waves of emotions, live the currents and enjoy the tides!

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[1] Tamora Pierce, writer