May 13th, 2011 by rob white
What is your mind? It’s all you’ve ever known since you began talking to yourself. Isn’t it? Before that, there was just ‘pure awareness’. There is no mind needed to be aware. Did you know that?
Your mind contains memories of the dead past. In fact, your mind spends a lot of time accumulating and filing memories of your dead past.
Your mind contains imaginings of your anticipated future. You don’t have nearly as many mental files on your imagined future as you have on your dead past. I wonder why we favor remembering more than imagining? Some favor imagining more – Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney.
Of course we all understand that the future is always ‘yet to come’. There’s nothing new here. The future is always a possibility. Again, nothing new here. What happens to possibilities that lie in the future if we are hit in the head by a meteor that has hurled down from the sky? Well then, those possibilities never happen.
What’s interesting about the future is this: in every instant, the future is becoming the present … and in the same instant, the present becomes part of the dead past. Huh! I never thought of quite like that before.
The dead past has no possibilities. It’s dead and over with. How can it have possibilities? It can’t! So, why do we spend so much time in the past?
Let’s look at this matter of the future, the present and the past once again: the future is always a movement into the present, and the present is always a movement into the past … and the past is dead and buried (no movement).
So … knowing all of this about tic-toc time, how can you use it to live the life you aspire to experience? The point of all of it is to live the way you really want to live right now.
- Do you want an uplifting tomorrow – begin being loose, natural and uplifting right now. That’s the point!
- Do you want to avoid foolish mistakes – begin avoiding acting foolishly right now. That’s the point!
- Do you want to take control of your life – begin taking control of your life right now. That’s the point!
What are you afraid of? What stops you from living in an uplifting manner, from avoiding foolish mistakes, and from taking control of your life right now?
Don’t complicate the matter by saying you have obligations or commitments or circumstances that stop you. Be practical. Stick to the point.
- The past is dead – stop using it to excuse away your life.
- The future may never come, and when it does, it is nothing more than a movement into the present – stop using it as a waiting room.
- Real valor never falters. It arises from the moment and gets things done.
Are you willing to take valor on as one of your prime qualities? So, how do you do this? The only way to do this is to become so aware of this present moment that you have no excuse to falter. Become this aware of the moment, and you find yourself living with valor – You find yourself unhesitatingly doing the right and perfect thing that uplifts you. You avoid foolish action. This puts YOU in control of your life.
Many blog and tweet readers unwisely prefer syrupy motivational comments – hoping such comments will encourage change. So they wait … and they pay! I know. I was one of them for years – one who read syrupy motivational comments (thousands of them in hundred of books – before blogging and tweeting). I was hoping it would do the trick. It won’t.
So, what do you have to say? What will you share that will help others better understand the message this blog is conveying? How can you give more to this blog by commenting, so that you may get more from it?
Thank you, and blessings
“Best Comment of the Week”. This weeks best comment comes from Dia from 2achieveyourgoals.com. The runner up is Debbie ofThe Happy Maker..
Illustrations by nick
> memories of your dead past and imaginings of your anticipated future
Good stuff and so true.
One way I heard it put is:
- the past is about blame
- the present is about values
- the future is about opportunity
I’ve noticed that the best leaders (self-leaders and leaders of others), know how to quickly shift to the future and dream up possibilities.
Thank you for always offering more to the blog. It helps others learn better. It sinks the message deeper into your own subconscious. From my perspective, the future does not offer opportunities. The present offers opportunities. If opportunities are found in the future, then we cannot get to them. It’s when the future pours into the present (which is happening every moment) that the future is truly valuable; otherwise it is but an imagining, and we can do nothing with an imagining. blessings
Hi Rob! When I think about it like that I see that it is CRaaazzy for me to keep re-living the past. I’ve done some silly things and said mean things to people that lasted a few seconds in real time, yet I re-live them over and over again in my head. Such a waste of time! The first thing I want to do is to learn how always say uplifting things NOW. Then I can stop beating myself up for my past stupidities. Cool. :
An individual full of the past, can only fear, Kara. Fear is the outcome of turning one’s focus to the graveyard (the dead past). There is no promise back there. blessings
Hi Rob! We get more of what we focus on. I don’t think the problem is that we look at the past, but that we have a tendency to look back with regret. If we remembered only the happy stuff, we’d create more of that. But we tend to spend a lot more time going over past “mistakes” and give all our energy to them. So, we keep re-creating things that feel that way over and over again.
By focusing on the NOW, how we feel right now, what we give our energy to right now, we can create the present and future that we really want.
Great post!
Hugs,
Melody
Thank you for your input, Melody. I like it. From my point of view: the sirens of the past are NO, NO, NO. They lure us onto the rocks of despair. We are infinitely intelligent beings. We do not need the past to learn anything. We learn from our mistakes quite naturally (we need trust this is true). Therefore, the present is what to look to. Also – we are inherently happy beings. We do not need past happy memories to remind of this. Therefore, the present is where to be happy quite naturally. thank you, and blessings
Hi Rob,
I work everyday at being mindful and staying in the present moment. For me, I feel my main area of unawareness comes from looking toward the future too much. It’s funny because this is a hopeful and optimistic outlook, yet it still causes anxiety and prevents me from experience peace of mind in the present. I am very excited for things to come in my life, though I must also learn to simply BE more often in the moment in order to live life fully. Thanks for the post!
Here is a big one, Joe: did you know that there is no such thing as ‘peace of mind’? In order to have real peace – we must be ‘out of our mind’; we must stop the chatter. Therefore, the only real peace comes from ‘peace of no-mind’ … it comes from pure awareness with no thought added (like looking at a beautiful sunset and adding no comment, no judgment, NOTHING). Thank you for your insightful input into the blogs. blessings
Very interesting, Rob. I never thought about time like this before. It so simple but not at all obvious. Someone like me spends almost all their time worrying about the future or feeling angry about the past. This would explain why I love to work. That is the only time I lose track of time and don’t worry about anything. As with most I still have money worries so I need to apply this lesson to my finances.
Time is only a portion of our consciousness, Roger. When we dwell on past memories, or spend too much time fantasizing about the future, our awareness of the present moment dwindles … and we lose our power to create something wonderful and new. Indeed, time is an asset, but not when we become obsessed with it – which so many millions do. When consciousness is lifted from lower brain mind’s infatuation with time, it is lifted into divine mind, where it’s able to accomplish the likes of a Leonardo da Vinci or Thomas Edison … or at least – you find yourself ‘the captain of your soul and the master of your fate’. That’s not too shabby, either! blessings
I am so stuck in the past. I had a great decade while in my thirties. Now, everything is falling apart – divorce, lost my job, the car needs serious repair, and I have on ongoing sinus infection. How can I not stare at my past?
You will find your happiness where your heart is, Steve, not where your mind is. Your mind is stuck in the past, staring at painful errors (not your heart). In the very place where you stand right now you will find answers that will give you what you want. Begin by forgiving yourself … and trusting thyself!!! blessings
This is one of your “pracital/spiritual deals. I don’t think we have chant Ohm Ohm Ohm all day to be in the NOW. I’ve learned to check in once in a while to see where my head is at. Whenever I feel anxiety I stop, calm and pause my thinking. And guess what? Either I’m fretting about the future or stuck in the past! That can of thinking can be paralyzing. Then I say “what does that have to do with getting X,Y & Z done right NOW?!” Usually I snap out of it and get back to work
Wow, Carol Anne, You are in the zone with what you’re offering here. I love your progress with opening the door to the truth. blessings
Hi Rob,
Excellent post on living in the present. Often people spend a huge time thinking and living in the past. The key is to learn from our past, live in the present and plan for the future. If we waste our current time thinking about what has happened, then we would end up wasting the current and present time and this could hurt our growth and progress in life. If we have a problem in the past, then it is better to look for solutions instead of living in the past and focusing on the problem. Thanks for sharing my friend
We are either reactionaries (reacting to the past), or revolutionaries (using the present to cause newness in our future). To strive for liberation from past WOES and NO’s requires that we be revolutionaries, Dia. Do you agree? Blessings
For sure I agree my friend. We have got to be revolutionaries. If we are using the present time to lament our misfortune and our problems from the past, then that is not going to help us in the long run. Instead of dwelling on the past, we should use the present to enjoy and to create something “marvelous” in the future by planning and focusing on what we do want and taking an inspired action.
If we don’t spend time planning for the future, we just get more of the past taking over our future. I think the future is where the mind should most be at.
Certainly planning for the future is important, Ken. On the other hand, the only way to actualize those plans is to take care of matters now. And we can only experience the future when it pours into now. It is difficult to deny the power of NOW. blessings.
You’re sounding like Eckhart Tolle, with your comment back to me.
What have I got to say about this….
hmmm…
RIGHT ON BROTHER!!!
hahah…I used to be caught up in the past…wallowing in it. I used to hold on to what the future might hold for me…
Now, I just live. I’m excited about each day…learning the lessons of the moments past, and knowing each day is another to live and love bigger and better.
thats all I got to say…
“thats all I got to say…” Hmmm, you have a lot to say Dawn, and it is beautiful ruminations that you often share. I notice a lot of folks are shy about showing their picture (with their comment on this blog). You are one of them, Dawn. Perhaps it is because they are speaking from their heart, and feel vulnerable? I sense your feeling of vulnerability. The moment you were born was not the beginning of your life, Dawn. No, not at all! And the moment you die is not the end of your life. That is certain! You are bigger than both birth and death, Dawn. Many births and deaths have occurred in your life. When you are open to sharing from your heart – I love what I learn from you. blessings
LOL…shy I am not Rob. Inexperienced on all this blogging stuff maybe a bit.
To see me, just visit my blog profile…
Hi Dawn, I visited your blog-site. you are another Dawn! There are more than one of you? Nice to meet you! blessings
“The point of all of it is to live the way you really want to live right now.” I love that message and it is one we all need to take to heart. Great post Rob and filled as usual with such wisdom.
By Jove, you got it! Clear point. thanks for restating. There is no alternative to ‘living now’. If we don’t, we regret it on our deathbed. blessings
You are very Zen today my man. I like it! I’m all about living in the present moment. Sometimes I wish I could be a zen magic monk sitting zazen on a mountaintop! I think we all have to make peace with our own zen-nature in this manic world. That means managing our present state so we can create a happy healthy future that is good for the world at large. At the same time we have to learn from our mistakes — not relive them. There is a lot of craziness in today’s society and dwelling in the past or future can make us a nervous wreck unless we wake up to the present.
You are becoming Zen-like with your comments, Rus. There is deeper insight in them than in the past, Nice growth! blessings
Whoa! It’s like the Past and the Future are constantly meeting precisely right now. Past & Future are not even real then. Just something we think about – the only thing real is right now… and then…right now. I think that’s why artists are impulsed to create. They love being totally absorbed in the present moment. And when they are not, they start to go crazy. I don’t want to go crazy, but I want to always be in the present. Maybe being in the present is like being in a constant state of creativity.
We are superlatively creative beings, John … but we can only experience this when we stop whining about our woesome past. Blessings.
I’m very much in playground mode these days Rob getting back to my childhood spirit. I’m allowing my dreams of where to live (I’ve just decided to leave my home town of 42 years!), what work I can do and contribute, and how much fun and love can come my way in all its amazing forms. But then again it’s not even dreaming, it’s designing my life from my heart out!
WOW, John, you are leaving your hometown of 42 years! LET ME TAKE A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE THAT. This move requires great strength of mind and an understanding heart. You have learned to turn to your original nature – the free spirit (which is always wanting to experience more of life). The infant gropes for everything in front of him … he naturally yearns for more … he has begun the journey. You are that FREE SPIRIT, John. Congratulations.
What’s the deal with time? Why do I always feel like I wish it was an hour later OR I wish it was an hour earlier. I’ve got something to learn here. I guess that explains why I’m a procrastinator LOL
. I’m either putting something off wishing I was doing something else OR playing catch up when I get behind the eight ball. YIKES! I guess I’m just not the “Present Moment” type of guy!
Time is good. there is nothing bad in time. Time can give you a good night’s sleep, Alan. It is what the mind does with time that can cause problems (like procrastination). thank you for your honesty.
Rob, It is amazing to realize that there is no such thing as time, isn’t it. It is something we “big brained” humans made up that just gets us into more trouble. Of course to function in society we have to learn how to navigate these constructs. I like to heed what Thoreau said “Time is but the stream I go fishing in. I drink at it, but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin current slides away, but eternity remains.” Talk about playing with time! We have to use time wisely and remember our position.
I suppose if people really understood the value of the moment, Salty, they would be amazed to find that every precious action is as powerful as the a flowing river stream at the end of winter … far more effective a way to live than to get caught in excessive remembering or imagining. blessings
Hi Rob, This is quite interesting. I’ve always been a future-minded person and always kept my eyes ahead. I think I did this to the detriment of missing what was going on right now. Sometimes I was so concerned about providing for my family that I would miss out on the experience of being WITH my family. Now, I’m looking back on the past and regretting that. If I had to do it all over again I would practice being more mindful of all the small things going on right under my nose. I’m learning to stop and smell the roses these days. Ambition is great – but we might as well be in a dream if we don’t take the time to appreciate the ‘now.’ Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, GeorgieBoy … you spoke your comment wonderfully well. A person can be delusioned by giving too much time to the past or the future. Life is right Now! blessings.
Hello Rob-
I’ve read this post 3 times throughout the week with the intention of allowing it to absorb. It really is a simple concept you shared – but so forgiven to my reality that I had to let it set; to gather a better understanding. I’m certainly not in full swing of this wisdom, but I do have an introduction into something that I think is a great key for me to learn more about for the betterment of my own life.
Here’s my personal take…
I often use the “dead past” as a crutch. It’s a focus that pays me no dividend of the postive..if anything, only that of the negative.
The pass is often my “get out of jail” card. If I need an excuse, I have one sitting right at the tip of our tongue, just ready to excuse myself from whatever it is we need.
I do it and I know I do it. In fact, I’m certain I even do it and don’t even realize when I do it.
The funny thing is that I’ve never really put thought to this. Never really thought about the difference between focusing on the past compared to focussing on the future.
I thank you for the awareness Rob. This was a deep, touching post for me that I learned something from. More than anything, it challenged me to look within and spot a detail about myself that I must correct.
Hi Jk …. you know that I love your presence in my life. You do know that, don’t you? I want to do something out int the world with you – a joint venture. I am going to be wonderfully frank with you, Jk: you have a tremendous gift to offer the world, and you are delaying. One of your delays is spending too much time on the internet. You’ve got to get ‘your thing’ out there into the world. that is how you will really make a huge difference … and how the BIG REWARDS come to you! (Oprah did it … you can do it!) It is time for you to deal with the difference between your intellect, your logical mind, and your POWERFULLY INTUITIVE NATURE, Jk. Your intuitive nature is the most encompassing realm of your being. All of the lack that you are experiencing (and you are experiencing lack … we all do), is but an urge from the unlimited side of you – prompting you to get out there. How can I help! blessings
This is a wake up call to me my friend. All my anger either exists in the past or the future – wow. It’s quite impossible to be angry at the present moment. It all stems from anxiety about the future or regret about the past. I think thats why so many of these New-Agers think they can just learn to meditate and check out on life. I’m a fiery dude so don’t count on me checking out. I just need to learn to manage and pay attention to the present moment better. I think I’ll be OK.
Exactly … well said, Ramone …. there is no anger about the immediate moment. it’s about memories or fearful anticipations. Nice insight! blessings
YO ROBBB!! I am always on the move and never worried about the past. So I mess up every once in a while, So what!? THE future takes care of it self when I am happy doing my THING right NOW. It’s like when I hook up with a chick – If I worried about what I’m going to say I would sit there on my THUMB with all the other wannnabes. BUT NO! I Go right in just FEELING GOOD and HAVING FUN! I think being PRESENT is ALL about having a good time. NOBODY has FUN sitting around thinking about the PAST or the FUTURE. THE PRESENT MOMENT IS THE FUN MOMENT, thats what I say! HHAHAHHHA. PEACE OUT!
You get this blog better than most folks, Magic. The real world can never collapse when we are present to the moment – that’s you! thanks.
Hey Rob,
I have a simple saying that I like to focus on: Yesterday is over but you can make your tomorrow better, today. I embrace what I can do in the here and now to impact my future (and my here and now). So many sell themselves short by maintaining that future results will be decided by past failures. This just isn’t the case unless one owns that belief. Thanks for the teaching in a deep yet, practical manner, Rob.
Live it LOUD!
STUDENT: I need someone to be brave for if I am to live in the present moment. TEACHER: No, no – live the present moment for yourself! (that is what you are saying, Rob …. I like it!)
Meditation and mindfulness are the only paths to living in the present. It’s not difficult to learn and makes a world of difference. All of our problems can be solved by realizing they are caused by our dwelling in the past or the future.
Mindfulness – indeed, Alicia, that is what it takes to be here now! One characteristic of a sheep-like mind is its inability to be mindful of the moment. Thank you, Alicia.