9 Strategies to Practice the Power of NOW! Rachel Devine
Being immersed in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, has scientifically proven health benefits, and allows us to tap into the spiritual depths of the moment, which when you think about it, this moment is all we have. The past is an illusion that is gone and the future is not here yet, so this moment is all there is. When you think about it, each moment turns into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into months, and months turn into years, and before long we find we may have squandered our lives by not being present in the moment. It is important to take full advantage of our days and live in a state of happiness and fulfillment, or life can pass us by in a blink of an eye.
Let’s look at some ways of practicing the power of now in your life.
Being immersed in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, has scientifically proven health benefits, and allows us to tap into the spiritual depths of the moment, which when you think about it, this moment is all we have. The past is an illusion that is gone and the future is not here yet, so this moment is all there is. When you think about it, each moment turns into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into months, and months turn into years, and before long we find we may have squandered our lives by not being present in the moment. It is important to take full advantage of our days and live in a state of happiness and fulfillment, or life can pass us by in a blink of an eye.
Let’s look at some ways of practicing the power of now in your life.
As Eckhart Tolle said, “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed.”
Lowered Stress and Anxiety
Focusing on the present releases us from rumination about the past and fear of tomorrow, two major triggers of stress. Studies show mindfulness practices reduce psychological distress by over 20% by living in the present moment.
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman explained, “The more you rest your attention in the present, the more you decrease anxiety, because anxiety is rooted in prediction of the future.” The future thoughts are usually rooted in worry.
Increased Happiness and Life Satisfaction
Attention directed away from constant inner chatter about the past and future and redirected onto fuller immersion in our present activities and experiences cultivates feelings of awe, contentment and flow. This boosts mood and overall happiness. Staying in the moment can bring much peace. You can also do mini-meditations on being in your happy place. Just think about a place you feel happy in and put yourself in that place in your mind and stay there for or 10 minutes. You can feel the present of the moment in this short positive visualization. It’s important to learn how to stop worrying and start living your life now.
Spiritual Connection
Almost all spiritual traditions teach that the doorway to the Divine, including Christ Consciousness, is only accessible in the eternal now, not the past or future. God can only be felt in this timeless moment of the present.
As Tolle said, “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” When we align fully with the now, spiritual bliss emerges.
Strategies for Living in the Now
Here are 9 research-based strategies for spending more time immersed in the richness of the present:
Practice regular mindfulness meditation, focusing senses on the body and breath
Yoga and movement practices synchronized with breath
Conscious walking noticing each step and sensation and your surroundings
Reminding yourself “come back to the now” when distracted
Single-tasking versus always doing multiple things
Slowing down and fully engaging your senses in eating, talking and being present
Finding peace in activities like music, prayer, and being still in the present
Noticing emotions and thoughts but not attaching narratives of worry and fear
Accepting life rather than resisting what this moment presents
The more we intentionally anchor into the moment, the more we can access its gifts of inner stability, wisdom, joy, peace, and spiritual connection. Return again and again to the serenity of this moment. When we live in this soulful moment, we can enjoy quality time with family and friends, and enjoy the enormous benefits of connecting to God.
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.
Cultivating Inner Peace: A Guide to Spiritual Growth - Rachel Devine
In our busy modern lives, it can be difficult to connect to our spiritual selves and find true inner peace and happiness. Most of us can’t seem to find time for growing spiritually. Yet caring for our spiritual health is just as important as physical and mental health. Spiritual leaders and great thinkers provide wisdom on ways we can grow spiritually and discover deeper fulfillment.
In our busy modern lives, it can be difficult to connect to our spiritual selves and find true inner peace and happiness. Most of us can’t seem to find time for growing spiritually. Yet caring for our spiritual health is just as important as physical and mental health. Spiritual leaders and great thinkers provide wisdom on ways we can grow spiritually and discover deeper fulfillment.
Find the Time
It’s crucial to find time to cultivate your spiritual growth. It will help transform your life. Even if you go in small steps of planting some seeds, by starting with spending 10 minutes in a room alone to open up the channels of spirituality in your life. The benefits will far outweigh the small amount of time you put into it.
Great Thinkers
Wayne Dyer encouraged focusing on raising your energy vibrations through meditation, reflection and conscious living. As he said, “There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.”
Louise Hay recommends affirming self-love and worthiness to manifest joy. “As I say ‘yes’ to life, life says ‘yes’ to me.” Loving yourself unconditionally is the foundation for spiritual growth.
Carl Jung emphasized finding meaning and purpose. “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Discover your unique path.
Eckhart Tolle advocates living fully in each moment. “The only way to bring true healing to your body and mind is to return to the present moment.” Anchor yourself in the now.
Practice accepting everything just as it is and release judgment. As Jack Kornfield teaches, “Our capacity to love depends on our ability to embrace the whole.”
Inner Reflection
Make time for inner reflection with motivation quotes, through journaling, prayer or meditation. Inner reflection brings inner peace and joy.
Focus on gratitude in life and appreciate the blessings all around you. “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Spend time in nature and contemplate your connectedness. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson can be soothing. “In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows," wrote Emerson. Being in nature has a way of bringing so much joy.
With regular self-reflection and mindful living, you can access your inner spiritual wisdom. Cultivate happiness with inner peace by shifting to a more serene way of living. By opening your heart and finding peace within, you can continue growing into your highest self.
Living in the Moment
Living fully in each moment is key for spiritual development according to teachers like Eckhart Tolle. When we let our minds wander to the past or future, we miss the profound beauty and lessons available in the here and now.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation helps train your mind to become more present-centered. Set aside time each day to sit quietly, following your breath and releasing distracting thoughts. Stay anchored in your body and the sensations you feel right now.
As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”
When you wash the dishes, shower, or take a walk, devote your full attention to the sights, sounds and feelings you experience. Even routine tasks become joyful when you immerse yourself in the here and now.
Eliminate distractions and be fully engaged when connecting with others. Make eye contact, actively listen, express gratitude. Every interaction is a spiritual gift.
Reflect on how even negative experiences can teach and heal if you embrace them with mindfulness. See the deeper purpose behind challenges.
Make your daily motivation to be fully awake and present. As Tolle said, “Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally.”
Benefits to a Spiritual State of Mind
Reduces stress and anxiety. Meditation lowers cortisol levels, helping induce calm and clarity. Regular practice can make you more resilient to daily stressors.
Promotes emotional health. Being present and mindful enhances self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Spiritual practices teach acceptance and compassion.
Enhances focus and concentration. Meditation trains your mind to stay focused in the moment. This translates to better focus even during daily tasks.
Provides sense of purpose. Spiritual connection brings a deeper sense of meaning and inner purpose. Understanding your place in the bigger picture gives motivation.
Creates gratitude. A spiritual outlook develops appreciation for all that you have. Practicing gratitude daily enhances overall well-being.
Improves sleep quality. Meditation can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Feeling inner peace translate to better rest.
Strengthens relationships. The empathy, acceptance and consciousness developed through spiritual practices improves your relationships.
Supports overall health. Some studies link meditation and spiritual well-being to improved immunity, lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation.
Making time to regularly cultivate inner peace provides health benefits that encompass your physical, mental and emotional realms. Spiritual wellness is integral to overall health.
By incorporating more mindful presence into your life, you unlock the secrets and blessings contained in each moment. Your spiritual growth flourishes when anchored in the sacred now.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.