Here’s a question that recently came up in a coaching session:
Client: I’ve been trying to be present and I’ve let go of a lot of thinking about the past… but now I’m constantly thinking about the future.
Me: If you want to gain any insight or clarity into deepening your level of presence, it has to start with presence. So, right now, are you fully present, with me, in this moment? Bring your full attention into the Now. Clear your mind. Take a deep, conscious breath.
Client: I can’t. My mind jumps to what’s next and issues with my work and family.
Me: That’s okay, tune into your breath and your body. Do you notice any feelings in your body as your mind tries to run away?
Client: Yes, I feel really bad.
Me: Where’s that feeling located in your body?
Client: In my chest.
Me: Pour all of your awareness and attention into the sensation in your chest. On a scale of 1-to-1, how intense is the feeling?
Client: Very strong – about a 7 out of 10 in my chest.
As I took the client through the Inner Salam Method (channeling the full power of your presence into what you’re actually experiencing and feeling in the moment), within about 5 minutes, her uncomfortable feelings were completely gone.
Me: Scan your whole body now from head to toe. Do you feel anything negative? Anything other than peace, love or joy?
Client: No. This is AMAZING!
Me: How present are you now?
Client: Totally present.
Me: Do you think you’ll have any trouble staying here now? Is your mind still running away to the future?
Client: No, I feel wonderful.
Any time you’re struggling to keep your mind in the present moment, don’t try and figure it out.
You can’t out-think your own thinking!
It’s a trap of the nafs (ego) to try and ‘figure out’ why I’m feeling this way and why I can’t stop thinking. That just generates a truck-load more thinking that pulls you further out of the present moment.
Instead, gently scan your body and notice if underneath the noisy mind there’s any kind of an uncomfortable feeling.
Often, the present moment feels uncomfortable, so we run into “Imagination Land” in our minds to try and distract ourselves from the negative sensation we might feel if we tune in and stay present.
One slightly uncomfortable feeling can keep our heads noisily spinning with thousands of thoughts for days – or in this case weeks!
The secret is that if we bring our presence, awareness and attention into the negative feeling itself (which usually appears in the form of a sensation somewhere in the body), it dissipates quite quickly and the mind can then happily remain clear and present for much longer.
Try it out yourself and let me know how it goes.
A few minutes after the session, I received messages from this client sharing tons of fresh new insights she was having, now that her mind was clear and free. This is one the most beautiful ‘side-effects’ of living with presence. You’re in the space where your own inner-wisdom and clarity kicks in.
If you want to join me and a group of Spiritual Warriors all on a mission to develop the ability to live with more presence and transcend the ego, then you’ll love this:
