SlinkyMike
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2021
- Messages
- 122
Let's discuss mindfullness and other types of meditation here. You are welcome to ask advice, post articles pertaining to the practice or simply state that you are present in this moment.
What does this mean?you are present in this moment
It means you are aware of everything you can perceive in this momentWhat does this mean?
I'd say I am. But I suspect that is not what it means.It means you are aware of everything you can perceive in this moment
Have you ever had a conversation where you nod your head but actually have no idea what that person said because your mind is on other thoughts? That is not being present in the moment.I'd say I am. But I suspect that is not what it means.
Does driving whilst thinking about something else fit here?Have you ever had a conversation where you nod your head but actually have no idea what that person said because your mind is on other thoughts? That is not being present in the moment.
Yes, driving whilst thinking of something else also qualifies as not being in the moment.Does driving whilst thinking about something else fit here?
I have had some times where I have done over a 100km's and not a single clue as to how I drove or anything that happened along the way.
Yes and no. Driving is one of the things we can do with our unconscious brain. We learnt to drive by practising. We know by the sound of the engine when to change gears. We know that if we want to turn, we need to move our hand and push the indicator in the direction we want to go. Much like writing, walking, unlocking doors etc. You don't need to think about which way to hold the keys in order for it to go into the lock. You don't need to think which way to turn it - you just turn it. You have done it so many times that it is natural.Yes, driving whilst thinking of something else also qualifies as not being in the moment.
Yes and no. Driving is one of the things we can do with our unconscious brain. We learnt to drive by practising. We know by the sound of the engine when to change gears. We know that if we want to turn, we need to move our hand and push the indicator in the direction we want to go. Much like writing, walking, unlocking doors etc. You don't need to think about which way to hold the keys in order for it to go into the lock. You don't need to think which way to turn it - you just turn it. You have done it so many times that it is natural.
So, while your unconscious brain is busy with these tasks, your conscious brain and think about your day, try and sort out problems etc. So why I say you are not present in the moment is because you are not looking at the scenery - you have seen it hundreds of times before. You don't think about how it feels to be sitting in your car seat and feeling the steering wheel in your hands. But if you were to get into a sports car for the first time, you would be in the moment. You would feel the differences compared to your usual car. The difference in height changes your visual perspective, making it new. The sound of the engine is different. Until you adjusted to all these "new" experiences, you would not be on automatic.
*wanderMaybe that's why meditation is not easy. The mind tends to wonder a lot.
It does that too*wander
That is what it means and very few people are aware all the time of everything they can perceive in any given moment.I'd say I am. But I suspect that is not what it means.
Such a great question. @Tribs does a great job below. I'll try to expand on it.What does this mean?
This is a great take.I had a huge problem with not being present in the moment. Basically, it means your attention isn't fully on what you are doing and you ignore things you are not too comfortable with. A simple example: absentmindedly stroking your cat while watching a YouTube video. You are distracted. You are not giving the cat your attention. If you were to look at the cat, see how it is reacting to your touch and adjust where you are stroking it and how you are stroking, you would do a better job from the cat's perspective. You would also benefit from seeing the enjoyment the cat gets and possibly enjoy it more yourself.
Or like eating food. When you hurridly eat a meal so that you can get onto the next thing on your list - or eat while doing something else - you barely taste and feel the food. You don't experience it. But if you sit down in a quiet place, look at your food and take it slowly. You get to notice all the tastes and textures. Your brain and body become aware that you are eating. It now becomes about the experience rather than just shovelling it into your mouth, chewing and swallowing.
Most of us go through life like that. Being in the moment is to try and make you aware of what you are doing, what is going on around you and how you can improve your experiences. It makes dealing with issues and problems so much easier - rather than just ignoring them and hoping they will sort themselves out or go away. You get to the end of the day and feel that you have spent quality time with those you love or enjoy spending time with.