5 Tips To Help You Live In Peace Now And Still Win The Dreams You Want In The Future

We’ve already established that there is a counterintuitive approach to success.

The trick is being able to set a vision for the future, but then only focus on the present moment.

We talked about one approach already in episode 45 “what is mindfulness and how can you get started?” where we shared 20 activities to feel more in tune with your own internal world

Well, today we are specifically looking at the concept of appreciating the Power of Now. We want to make a gradual shift toward the mindset of always living in the moment.

A Simple Trick That Makes This A Lot Easier

Ask anyone who has chased a big, audacious goal and they’ll say “it was not easy.”
This is true. Hard things are hard. And big goals are no exception.
But, they can be easier. If we live with mindfulness, in the moment, they are a lot easier.

I love this insight from Eckhart Tolle, “if you get the inside stuff right, the outside stuff will always fall into place. It starts by asking yourself, “what’s going on inside me? Am I at ease in this very moment?

If not, then I am either:

• Remembering something unhelpful from my past.
• Or Projecting something that may or may not exist in my future. 

Do I feel tension or unease? If so, then much like grabbing a hot potato, I should probably toss it. Hanging on to it would be like learning of an allergy and purposefully getting a bee sting, or eating a food you can’t because it’s your right to suffer. 

It’s just not necessary to choose to suffer.

Stop Thinking So Much!

Speaking of counterintuitive ideas, the most simple summary of living in the moment is simply to stop thinking. 

We are all really good at thinking. Some of us are a little bit too good at thinking. 

Society is requiring more and more creativity as work and chores that are not creative become commodities and get outsourced, or automated.

And, the only way to be creative is to be conscious, but without thought, to be build from a place of “no mind”.

Eckhart Tolle, who built the entire category of the Power of Now and has sold 10 million copies of his book, says “the reason why the majority of scientists are not creative is not that they don’t know how to think, but because they don’t know how to stop thinking.”

Then What Is Life For?

Aww, the existential angst.

If life is not about suffering or thinking, then what is it about? A classic question that really has no answer. 

Ok, I get it, this is a question that may seem a little bit silly, or too philosophical. The answer is different for everyone and it changes. 

So why ask it? Because the pursuit of great questions, just thinking of the answers can be incredibly powerful. 

Humans own the gift of enlightenment, which means “rising above thought”. If we are not enlightened, we live addicted to our thoughts. We operate like any animal just going through the motions of life. 

But, living an enlightened life, we can use our minds like any tool, such as a drill, or a saw. We use it when we need it, and then otherwise we let it rest and recharge when we don’t need it.

We still think, but in a much more focused and effective way if we understand the Power Of Now.

The Power Of Now

“The Power of Now” is a book that teaches us to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the past or future. 

The author, Eckhart Tolle, explains that we often get caught up in our thoughts and emotions, which can make us unhappy and stressed. 

He teaches that “we can find peace and happiness by paying attention to our breath, body, and surroundings, and by accepting what is happening in the present moment without judgment, never worrying about things that have existed, or might exist in the future.” 

This can help us release our worry and connect with a deeper sense of joy and inner peace.

5 Key Points To Live In The Moment

The book is long and goes in great depth, but here are five of the key points from The Power Of Now:

1. Be aware of your thoughts: Notice when your mind is wandering to the past or future, and gently bring your attention back to the precise, specific moment.
2. Focus on your breath: Do some quick breathwork and focus on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body to feel more grounded.
3. Pay attention to your senses: Notice the things you can see, hear, taste, feel and smell around you to stay engaged with that scene.
4. Accept what is: Instead of resisting or judging the current situation, accept it as a circumstance, not a stressor.
5. Let go of the past and future: Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, waiting for something to happen, or worrying about the future, try to focus only on what you can do right now.

By practicing these tips we can learn to live more fully in the present moment. If we learn to live in the moment, then we can set incredible goals. We can really shoot for the moon. Because we understand that the actual value in life comes from the exact moment anyways. The end goal, or past celebrations are an illusion. 

Living with this “power of now” mindset will allow us to experience a far greater sense of vitality, peace, and fulfillment in life.

Thanks for reading. Your pal,
Justin @JustTries 

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