You are either Present or you are Absent
I’m reading Eckhart Tolle’s The Power Of Now
What strikes me is the epiphany about presence. I’ve read the words “Now”, “Present”, “Presence” often in the book, but not really thinking what it really means, nor fully understanding it.
I can’t say I FULLY understand it at this moment either. But there was one part where he talked about “absence”, that made me more aware of what presence means.
It’s funny yet interesting how the opposite of something can make one realise the meaning of what you’re trying to grasp.
And truly, if you are not PRESENT at this instance, your mind is either in the past or the future, which means… you are currently ABSENT from the right here and now.
So many of us are actually absent, cycling through the past again and again, and constantly worrying about the future. This is me, for sure.
Also, since we are to die to our past history with every second that passes, I am to consider myself whole in the Now. No more dwelling in the past where my mom mentally, psychologically and emotionally tortured me.
I’m still taking it all in. I believe in the truth he speaks about. I want to LIVE as he teaches – in the Now.
Anyone else read/is reading this book? Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
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@yellow.ledbetter88 Awareness, and growing awareness is key… Am happy for you That’s what he says in the book though – we’ve dissociated with our physical bodies, but that’s actually where we get in touch with consciousness/presence. It’s been passed down the generations, this tendency of “absence”; our minds being in the past or future as a means of “survival”, which is fuelled by and explains our fear (worry).
I didn’t even know how absent I was for most of my life! When I first started seeing my psychologist he described me as “at best, in the passenger seat, but realistically in the back seat or even the boot” in reference to how absent/dissociated I was. It amazes me that I was so absent for so long. Don’t get me wrong, still in and out, some days it feels like I could be driving and others I’m under a blanket in the boot. But I’m at least becoming more capable of being aware of where I am. It’s why I find mindfulness so invaluable.
@ptsd_how_to_recover Wow ok – I hope to read all his books! But I don’t deal well with long texts, so I read bit by bit every night before I sleep. And tend to repeat some of what I read the night before as a refresher as well as to hopefully further absorb its truths… Ok will Follow you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on here with me 🙂
@girlintherapy I have read his most recent book “a new earth” which was very good. It’s good to be able to witness your thoughts or bodily sensations, and it is true the true nature of our being is observation. I’m glad you are practicing ‘presence’. I have written many of my thoughts on e. Tolle if you follow me you will find my comments on relevant posts. ?