Being Present and Presence

​For this week’s class, I have a poem for you to ponder.   It was untitled but was written by Erin Hanson.  I think it captures how many of us approach life today.
 
So if you can, take a moment now to read the poem, then read on……..  You can access it here.
 
We are doing so many things so quickly that we don’t “really” experience any of them – or at least not fully.  We might check them off of our list, but we don’t remember the details.  We don’t make memories. 
 
Why?
 
Because we aren’t present in the moment.  We are often caught up in thought – worrying about the future, what’s next on the list, or being consumed by something we just did that is in the past.  But we didn’t do it good enough – or so we think. 
 
And when we are carried away by these stories of thought, our Presence is covered up, hidden.  We are unaware of our own Presence.
 
You see, when we are attentive to the present moment, we open up space, and we let our Presence shine through.  Our Essential Nature that is always here.  Our Presence, our Soul – the Essence of who we are. 
 
It is this Presence; it is this Awareness that observes all of our sense perceptions (thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensations, images, ideas) and experiences life.
 
This Presence is who we are.
 
Tonight’s (or maybe tomorrow’s depending on when you read this) and next week’s practices will focus on being attentive to our bodies, emotions and thoughts that occur in the moments during our asana practices.  And in our meditations we will practice recognizing our own Presence.
 
If you’d like, you can sign up for class here.
 
I have a second request for you.  If possible, please have a pencil/pen and a piece of paper handy for class.  I’ll explain on Wednesday 😊.
 
With Blessings for a moment to moment happiness throughout your day.  I’m looking forward to seeing you in class.
 
Vicki