Benefits to Being Present in the Moment - Rachel Devine
Life unfolds in the current moment. Yet so often we mentally time-travel back to the past or into the future, missing the gift of the present. We look back on the past with regrets or look towards the future with worry. The one thing most of us forget is the present moment is really all we have. The future is not promised to anyone, and the past is just an illusion in our mind that no longer exists. Being present in the moment has scientifically validated benefits for physical and mental well-being, as well as spiritual awakening. Let’s look at ways on how to practice being present. The present is the place where dreams become our reality.
Life unfolds in the current moment. Yet so often we mentally time-travel back to the past or into the future, missing the gift of the present. We look back on the past with regrets or look towards the future with worry. The one thing most of us forget is that the present moment is really all we have. The future is not promised to anyone, and the past is just an illusion in our minds that no longer exists. Being present in the moment has scientifically validated benefits for physical and mental well-being, as well as spiritual awakening. Let’s look at ways to practice being present. The present is the place where dreams become our reality.
Being present lowers stress
Stress often arises when attention fixates on regrets, future worries, or trying to control circumstances or problems. Research shows present-moment awareness activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety and lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
As Eckhart Tolle, the author of The Power of Now, advises, “The key is to have your attention on the now—not the problem, but the result you want.” Transform life’s moments by awakening to the richness available in your senses whenever you redirect focus to the present.
According to Eckhart Tolle, “Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there.’ Centering in the now neutralizes stress by aligning how you feel with where you are. The present is all there ever is.
Boosts in Joy and Performance
Mindfulness boosts the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Brain scans reveal happier people exhibit more present-moment focus. Heightened attention also drives excellence by enhancing productivity, focus, and creativity.
"Wherever you are, be there totally." Eckhart Tolle
Immune System and Cellular Health
Studies link present-moment awareness to improved immunity and telomere length, a biomarker of longevity and health at the cellular level. Mindfulness appears to slow cellular aging through positive genetic changes influenced by decreased psychological stress. Anything you can do to decrease stress will benefit your health and wellness. Staying in the moment seems like a good option. However, it isn’t easy, and it does take some focused effort. But the benefits far outweigh the energy that you put into it.
Spiritual Awakening
Most mystical traditions teach that enlightenment unfolds in the ever-unfolding now. Being immersed in the eternal present brings glimpses of timeless consciousness and cultivating non-attachment. And one very important factor is this: The only place you can access your higher power, or God, is in the moment. God’s Spirit is never in the past or the future. God’s Spirit dwells within all of us, and connecting to that Spirit happens in the moment. When one connects with prayer, they are in the moment, in a sacred place of power. The power of prayer is beyond anyone’s scope, and yet it only happens in the moment.
As Louise Hay teaches, “A powerful way to stay conscious and present is to constantly remain aware of the energy in your hands.” In other words, bringing awareness to the sensations in the hands—slight pulsing, warmth, and tingling—gives you an energetic focal point to keep you present. By continually returning focus to actively noticing the "energy" or aliveness in the hands, it gives the busy mind something specific to pay attention to right now.
And all of this will make your life so much happier.
Ways to be Present
According to Dr. Wayne Dyer, "Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different." Refocusing on the present is a skill developed through practices like the following:
Meditation: sit quietly, noticing your breath and sensations.
Yoga: synchronize movement and breath together in the moment.
Nature immersion: absorb sights, sounds, and smells fully.
Conscious walking: feel each footstep, sync to your rhythm, and gaze at nature.
Mindful eating: savor flavors and textures intently.
Listening to music: be absorbed in the melody and beat.
Arts and crafts channel focus into the creative process.
Observing thoughts: watch them arise and pass without attachment.
Daily routines: make activities like brushing your teeth mindful.
And remember, “This moment is all we have. Don’t believe me? Try to capture the previous moment or the future moment and change it.” Rachel Devine from The Third Road.
Life is too short to live in the past or worry about the future. Grab onto each moment. Moments turn into hours, hours to days, days to weeks, and before you know it, years are squandered away. Start living in the now.
Rachel Devine, The Third Road
Devine Intervention Inner Healing Center
Free prizes, enter the contest, only 4 days left. (just send me an email and request to be in the contest. Drawing for winner on 5/1/24.)
5 Ways to Find Inner Peace - Rachel Devine
Inner peace is a state of tranquility, calm and harmony within. It is unaffected by external circumstances. Finding inner peace allows you to navigate life’s ups and downs from a place of deep centeredness. When one has a firm foundation of inner peace, nothing in life can rattle it. So how do we get to this place of inner peace? Following spiritual practices, spending time in nature, helping others, and training the mind can help unlock this state of serenity.
I love this quote by Louise Hay:
“I guard my inner world, for it is there that I create. I do whatever I need to do to keep my inner world peaceful. My inner peace is essential for my health and well-being. I go within and find that space where all is quiet and serene.”
Inner peace is a state of tranquility, calm and harmony within. It is unaffected by external circumstances. Finding inner peace allows you to navigate life’s ups and downs from a place of deep centeredness. When one has a firm foundation of inner peace, nothing in life can shake it.
So how do we get to this place of inner peace? Some ways of reaching inner peace are following spiritual practices, spending time in nature, service to others, and training the mind. These spiritual practices can all help unlock this state of serenity.
This is a wonderful quote from Louise Hay:
“I guard my inner world, for it is there that I create. I do whatever I need to do to keep my inner world peaceful. My inner peace is essential for my health and well-being. I go within and find that space where all is quiet and serene.”
Inner Peace Examples
Meditation quiets the chatter of the mind when focused on the breath or a mantra. Taking time to sit in stillness while observing thoughts nonjudgmentally fosters present moment awareness – a key to inner peace.
Yoga links the breath with movement, helping calm the body and mind. Studies show just 15 minutes of yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to lower stress hormone production.
Being in nature replenishes depleted energy. Research confirms time outdoors increases vitality and lifts mood through boosted immunity and decreased inflammation. Also walking in nature, in sun light, is a way to find some inner peace.
Serving others with compassion gets you outside of your own worries by shifting your focus. Volunteering and extending generosity also boosts mood through increased oxytocin.
Aroma therapy is a great way to center yourself around the moment. Scented candles bring an aura of spirituality and calm.
Sitting on the beach and watching the waves, is a great way to find some inner peace.
Listening to soothing music is a great way to find peace.
Listening to a meditations on serenity is another way to cultivate some peace in your world.
There are endless ways to find peace in your life. Pick the ones you resonate with.
Quotes on Inner Peace
“Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it.” – Brian Tracy
“Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” – Pema Chodron
Motivational quotes can also have an impact on bringing inner peace to your life.
It’s important to realize that when another person is allowed to upset your inner peace, they have control over you. It’s like they picked up your remote control and started dialing in so you would lose your inner peace. Take the remote control back and be strong in your conviction to stay peaceful, even during turmoil. Stay in your own space and try not to let anyone disturb your peace of mind.
Inner Peace Benefits
Reduced anxiety, stress, and depression
Lower blood pressure and more heart rate variability
Decreased inflammation and improved immunity
Greater emotional resilience and more positive outlook
Higher quality of personal relationships
Increased empathy, kindness and compassion
Enhanced focus, creativity and performance
Greater sense of meaning and life satisfaction
Finding Peace Within
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S. Burroughs
When one is in a peaceful state, the mind can resolve problems in a calm manner. You also have the advantage of connecting in the moment with spiritual ideas that may have a profound impact on your life. When life is chaotic it is hard to hear the whisper of God’s Spirit within, which guides us all on this journey called life. God’s Spirit can only be accessed in the moment, where all spiritual ideas form.
The key is staying in the moment. When your mind takes flight with thoughts about the future, or looks back on past regrets, you have lost touch with reality, which is in this very moment. This moment is all we have. This moment is where you will find your peace of mind. Staying in the moment puts you in a safe place of inner peace.
Being in the Present Moment:
Pay attention to your breathing - notice each inhale and exhale.
Engage your senses - observe sights, textures, smells, tastes around you.
Focus on body sensations - note any feelings or aliveness in your hands, feet or heart.
Listen attentively - be absorbed in sounds you hear.
Observe thoughts nonjudgmentally - watch them arise and pass without following or attaching.
Ask yourself "What do I notice right now?" - take inventory of this exact moment.
Feel into any emotions - name what you’re feeling without judging it as good or bad.
Silently name activities as you do them - washing dishes, walking, brushing teeth.
Fully immerse in tasks - give complete focused attention.
Catch your mind wandering - gently return focus to the now.
Avoid multitasking - do one thing at a time.
Limit distractions - reduce interruptions, alerts, planning.
The key to being in the moment is to gently guide your focus back to the present whenever it starts to drift. With regular practice you train the mind to reside more often in the richness of the present moment. Believe me, this practice takes time and effort. However, the benefits of inner-peace practice and staying in the moment is priceless. Finding inner peace will reap happiness and joy in your life.
By learning to still the turbulent waves of past worries, future projections, and fears, you will be more at peace in your world. This will take some effort in spiritual practices and living in loving presence. If you decide to do this, you will return to your natural state - peaceful, joyful, and serene. The quiet depths of your being offer a refuge from any storm. Journey inward to discover your sanctuary of peace waiting patiently to be unveiled. You deserve to live a life of serenity.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.
Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.
Benefits to Being Present in the Moment - Rachel Devine
Life unfolds in the current moment. Yet so often we mentally time-travel back to the past or into the future, missing the gift of the present. We look back on the past with regrets or look towards the future with worry. The one thing most of us forget is the present moment is really all we have. The future is not promised to anyone, and the past is just an illusion in our mind that no longer exists. Being present in the moment has scientifically validated benefits for physical and mental well-being, as well as spiritual awakening. Let’s look at ways on how to practice being present. The present is the place where dreams become our reality.
Life unfolds in the current moment. Yet so often we mentally time-travel back to the past or into the future, missing the gift of the present. We look back on the past with regrets or look towards the future with worry. The one thing most of us forget is that the present moment is really all we have. The future is not promised to anyone, and the past is just an illusion in our minds that no longer exists. Being present in the moment has scientifically validated benefits for physical and mental well-being, as well as spiritual awakening. Let’s look at ways to practice being present. The present is the place where dreams become our reality.
Being present lowers stress
Stress often arises when attention fixates on regrets, future worries, or trying to control circumstances or problems. Research shows present-moment awareness activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety and lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
As Eckhart Tolle, the author of The Power of Now, advises, “The key is to have your attention on the now—not the problem, but the result you want.” Transform life’s moments by awakening to the richness available in your senses whenever you redirect focus to the present.
According to Eckhart Tolle, “Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there.’ Centering in the now neutralizes stress by aligning how you feel with where you are. The present is all there ever is.
Boosts in Joy and Performance
Mindfulness boosts the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Brain scans reveal happier people exhibit more present-moment focus. Heightened attention also drives excellence by enhancing productivity, focus, and creativity.
"Wherever you are, be there totally." Eckhart Tolle
Immune System and Cellular Health
Studies link present-moment awareness to improved immunity and telomere length, a biomarker of longevity and health at the cellular level. Mindfulness appears to slow cellular aging through positive genetic changes influenced by decreased psychological stress. Anything you can do to decrease stress will benefit your health and wellness. Staying in the moment seems like a good option. However, it isn’t easy, and it does take some focused effort. But the benefits far outweigh the energy that you put into it.
Spiritual Awakening
Most mystical traditions teach that enlightenment unfolds in the ever-unfolding now. Being immersed in the eternal present brings glimpses of timeless consciousness and cultivating non-attachment. And one very important factor is this: The only place you can access your higher power, or God, is in the moment. God’s Spirit is never in the past or the future. God’s Spirit dwells within all of us, and connecting to that Spirit happens in the moment. When one connects with prayer, they are in the moment, in a sacred place of power. The power of prayer is beyond anyone’s scope, and yet it only happens in the moment.
As Louise Hay teaches, “A powerful way to stay conscious and present is to constantly remain aware of the energy in your hands.” In other words, bringing awareness to the sensations in the hands—slight pulsing, warmth, and tingling—gives you an energetic focal point to keep you present. By continually returning focus to actively noticing the "energy" or aliveness in the hands, it gives the busy mind something specific to pay attention to right now.
And all of this will make your life so much happier.
Ways to be Present
According to Dr. Wayne Dyer, "Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different." Refocusing on the present is a skill developed through practices like the following:
Meditation: sit quietly, noticing your breath and sensations.
Yoga: synchronize movement and breath together in the moment.
Nature immersion: absorb sights, sounds, and smells fully.
Conscious walking: feel each footstep, sync to your rhythm, and gaze at nature.
Mindful eating: savor flavors and textures intently.
Listening to music: be absorbed in the melody and beat.
Arts and crafts channel focus into the creative process.
Observing thoughts: watch them arise and pass without attachment.
Daily routines: make activities like brushing your teeth mindful.
And remember, “This moment is all we have. Don’t believe me? Try to capture the previous moment or the future moment and change it.” Rachel Devine from The Third Road.
Life is too short to live in the past or worry about the future. Grab onto each moment. Moments turn into hours, hours to days, days to weeks, and before you know it, years are squandered away. Start living in the now.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road.
Devine Intervention Inner Healing Center
Free prizes, enter the contest, only 4 days left. (just send me an email and request to be in the contest. Drawing for winner on 5/1/24.)