The Imperative of the Present Moment

CalmMinds MeditationMeditation

The Imperative of the Present Moment

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The Imperative of the Present Moment

The issue with distractions is that they grab our attention and make us believe they are important. They pull us into their narratives as if they are saying, “This is what you need to focus on right now.” Consequently, we often find ourselves caught up in stories fueled by anxiety, anger, desire, and self-doubt.

These distractions stem from our primitive wiring, designed to protect us. As early mammals who faced predators, we needed to be anxious and alert for potential physical threats. When such threats arose, like a stranger approaching our camp, we might react with anger to command respect or fear. In environments with scarce resources, our sensory desires pushed us to seek out and hold onto food and other essentials. Self-doubt encouraged caution and helped us fit into hierarchical social groups where not everyone could be a leader.

Today, even though we still encounter threats, uncertainties, and scarcity, these mental states are less beneficial and often hinder rather than help us. The brain circuits associated with these states still exist, constantly searching for reasons to be anxious, angry, greedy, or doubtful. Sometimes, these circuits spiral out of control, leading to stress, social anxiety, and depression.

Even outside of severe conditions, these mental states decrease our overall wellbeing. We feel much happier when we are mindfully paying attention to whatever we are doing, even if it’s just focusing on our breathing, rather than letting our mind wander.

So, how can we convince ourselves that our distractions aren’t actually crucial for our happiness, and that being mindful is what truly matters? The Buddhist tradition offers various methods, such as contemplating the downsides of our distractions (“Anxiety doesn’t solve my problems, it just makes them harder to tackle”). One approach I particularly like involves gently reminding ourselves of the value of mindfulness.

In the past, I used phrases like “But right now… right now” or “It can wait” and found them very useful. My current favorite is, “The most important thing right now, is right now.” This simple reminder helps prioritize what truly matters. Anxiety, doubt, and other negative feelings aren’t inherently “wrong.” They are just remnants of our old programming that generally don’t lead to happiness or contentment but instead cause emotional turmoil.

The second “right now” in “The most important thing right now, is right now” refers to everything happening in our current sensory experience—sounds, light, body sensations, and feelings. Mindfully paying attention to these sensations helps calm the mind, release bodily tension, and bring a sense of contentment or even joy.

This phrase encourages us to explore what “right now” means through mindful exploration. When you find yourself shifting from distracted thinking to a more mindful state during meditation, try using the phrase “The most important thing right now, is right now” to focus your attention on your immediate sensory reality.

A student named Zia shared how this phrase evolved for her practice. Over several days, “The most important thing right now, is right now” transformed into “All that matters right now is right now” and sometimes “ALL that matters right now is right now.” The capital “ALL” emphasized the vastness and divinity of the present moment, which becomes more accessible through mindful attention.

This illustrates how phrases like these can grow and adapt, becoming integral parts of your life rather than static objects. Let them evolve and resonate with your mindful practice.

Bodhipaksa, thank you. Breathing and being aware of surroundings have significantly enhanced my meditation practice. Although they sometimes seemed like distractions, in hindsight, they became crucial tools for staying present in each moment.