the present moment: when?

It’s common nowadays to be mind-full with our minds overfilled with information, still adding in. We spend most of our time anywhere but now: living in the past - occupied by what has already happened 2 minutes to 20 years ago - or in the future - worrying about what has yet to (and may never) come. If we're honest with ourselves, how often are we present? Can we live in the moment without bringing in the past or future? What does that look like?

We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness is the state of being fully present. We maintain a moment-to-moment awareness without judgement or interpretation. With its roots in eastern and Buddhist meditations, mindfulness has become widespread in the western world in recent years. Some common mindfulness practices include meditations, breath exercises, and practices focusing on our senses and sensations. When we observe with curiosity and gentleness - whether the focus may be our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and/or environment - we are practicing mindfulness and staying in the moment.

Mindfulness has been found to positively impact our health and well-being, from lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, reducing pain, to reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and increasing working memory and focus. It also reduces stress, supports emotional regulation, and contributes to relationship satisfaction. A practice of making your presence a gift to your own life.

We all have the natural ability to be mindful, but most of us have become rusty with this after years of "neglect" with our lifestyles. Just like working out in the gym for the physical body, you must relearn, cultivate, and strengthen your ability to be mindful with consistent, regular practice - even a few minutes at a time. It's up to you to stop staying stuck where you are not. The past in gone. The future is not here yet rather built on each current moment. Little by little, it's up to you to be in the now more and more and begin the shift from being mind-full to mindful.

∞ Mala meditations are a great way to build mindfulness with movement, keeping you aligned with your heart of feeling as you mindfully move through the beads with intention. Visit our mala meditation portal to use your mala for meditation or purchase one of ours to get started.