7 Ways to Enter the Present Moment Without Meditation
Can’t sit down and meditate? No problem! Here are 7 tips inspired by The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle that will help create more space in your day, no matter your style of feeling grounded.
1: Inner body awareness
Notice how your body feels at this moment. Does anything draw your attention right away? Follow areas of pain or tension and drop the label. Maybe you notice a light, expansive feeling somewhere (most of us get drawn to discomfort first). View it like a curious observer noticing a sensation for the first time. Notice what happens to the sensation as you continue to watch it.
2: One conscious breath
Be present with every moment and sensation of one inhale and exhale and you’ll start to create more space for yourself. Do this throughout the day to recenter.
3: Listen to the gaps
You know that feeling when someone says “Did you hear that?” For a moment we’re really present! And we can purposely create more of these moments.
Listen to the silence between sounds. Try this on a nature walk or even in conversation with someone. Silence is the universe's canvas.
4: Observe without labels
Go for a walk and pretend you're a newborn baby seeing the world for the first time. Use all your senses. You'll quickly notice how your mind wants to judge and label everything. At first I had a silent running commentary of my neighborhood on walks. “I like their yard, that looks weird…”
Gently let it all go. To a baby, a tree isn't even a "tree".
5: Surrender to what is
There are only 2 kinds of thoughts: #1 things we can control and #2 things we can't.
The serenity prayer sums it up perfectly: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
If you’re dealing with a #1 thought, what small action step can you take in this moment? If it’s a #2 thought, deem it out of your control.
6: Gratitude
Look around you right now. What's something you're thankful for? Fill your heart with appreciation for that person/thing/situation. Acknowledge how worthy you are of having that person/thing/situation in your life.
7: Use your hands
Take a minute (or more) to be present with the motion of your hands while doing everyday things like sipping a drink or washing the dishes.
There you have it! Seven ways to leave the past or future and come back to now. I especially love #3 and #4 on walks and I do #1 and #2 regularly throughout the day. Wishing you many spacious moments.
Further Reading
Ready to try something new? Discover how Bio-energy Healing can help you feel calm and grounded.
If you’re interested in feeling lighter, understanding your body and discovering your gifts (how you thrive in love, work and life) Margaret offers healing sessions in-person and online.
A Bio-energy Healing Session is designed to recalibrate your mind and soul to new levels of energy and creativity. Leave with clarity, lightness and action steps to live in alignment with your soul.
