The Power of Now

Post Reply New Topic

I don't normally go for self-help books, but I was given a copy of "The Power of Now".

It was ironic because I had been reading about the meditative practice of focusing on the current moment. I never stop thinking, even when I sleep. I am always thinking things through and going over every detail. Don't even ask about the time spent worrying.

Anyone else here try mindfulness to try to silence the inner dialog? I am really having great results from just being conscious of the moment, and controlling the constant thinking. I walk slower, drive with less urgency and sometimes can find a place of peace and contentment in my normal life.

I spent so much time going over the past or obsessing about the future, that I was missing the present. Sounds corny, I know, but try it. Unless you are in a Turkish prison, you will find that much of your life is easy and stress free.

Gotta go to a meeting, more on this later...

Sometimes it works for me, but focusing on the future is usually the way to go.

I am rereading it right now. Every time I go back to this book, I might find a thing or two that helps me, but overall, I get pretty frustrated at it. Of course it would be great to live in the moment and have a clear head, but I find it's fairly impossible to put into practice. It doesn't help that Tolle is kind of an a-hole about how easy it was for him.

"How do I enter the Now?"
"You already know how, you can do it anytime you want."
"But I don't understand..."
"Yes, you do."

I do agree with how he describes worry as not accepting the situation you're in. If you don't like something that's happening to you, either change it or accept it, but don't fight it or stress about it. Again, something I'll try to remind myself of, but I don't think I'll be giving up worrying.

Oh, and did anyone else catch the reference in "Mutts" today? Nice little dig there.

Thinking about the present makes me more depressed. Thinking about the future makes me scared.