Your Moment Of Power

By John M Adams III New Paradigm Ebooks

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Warning: What This Book Is Not About

You cant take the truth home with you. Nor do you need to, because you are the truth - Eckhart Tolle Before we get into what this book is, lets get clear on what it definitely is not. This book is not a lesson on patience, nor is it a manual on time management and how to beat procrastination. Furthermore, the book you are about to read is not about improving your concentration or learning to remember details with great accuracy. While the material that follows will help you become a more patient, efficient, focused, aware, and joyous human being, it is actually about far more than all of this. This book is not about a new and innovative self-development idea. In fact the ideals expressed within are thousands of years old and far superior to anything offered by the worlds leading self-help gurus. This book is not about making more money or being in great physical shape. Although what you find here could easily help you achieve this and much more. In fact what youll uncover on the following pages is already within you. And its the key to every success, every real joy, and every miracle youll allow into your awareness from here forward. Its important that I make the above distinctions now so you can clear your mind and prepare to get the most from what you are about to read. Having done this, I thank you for your purchase and invite you to join me on a journey of discovery and transformation that could change your life forever. Yours in success, John M Adams III New Paradigm Ebooks

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The Truth About Time

"Time is God's way of keeping everything from happening at once." - Anon Before moving forward I want to unzip one of the most powerful misnomers on our planet. Thats a pretty grand statement, but the fact is you already know intuitively the truth of what Im about to share with you. The passage of time isnt real. Its all a big fib. Stay with me for a few more paragraphs and youll see Im not a complete fruitcake for saying that. Time is the most used noun in the English language. What time do you have? There's no time for that! What time are we supposed to be there? Did you have a good time? Please take your time and do it right. Maybe next time. Our culture is completely obsessed with the passing of time, and people live in constant anxiety over lost time, wasted time, and not having enough time to get everything done. Its a bizarre resignation people want to wallow in. There general consensus is that the modern lifestyle demands more than can be reasonably fit into the limited time we have in a day, week, month, or year. The truth is the chaos most people call a lifestyle is ludicrous beyond reconciliation. Despite what rush-rush corporate executives, overwhelmed stay-at-home moms, and stressed out entrepreneurs would have us believe, society doesnt demand a high tension, grind it to the nub existence of us; we demand this of ourselves and its completely uncalled for because time isnt even real. Time is not a natural law. It is a construct of humanity. Its fair to say the earth travels around the Sun, and spins on its axis. And you would be right in pointing out the fact that such ranges of motion result in periods of day and night, as well as the different seasons of the year.

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Isnt this phenomenon proof of time? Furthermore, do the moving hands of a clock not verify the tangible existence of time? Not really. These observations have to do with distance and motion. Time is just something our species invented to help us exert a sense of control over our lives and the world around us. Its a handy system for the most part but in many ways the idea has ended up biting us all in the collective rumps. Heres a funny story you might not know about our modern time structures: On Wed. September 2, 1752 the British government declared the following day would be Thursday the 14th. This was done to synchronize English time with the Gregorian calendar being used throughout the rest of Europe. This, like the invention of daylight savings time in the early 20th century illustrates clearly that time as we know it is not a part of nature. Its a system our ancestors came up with and one that we continue to go along with to this very day. My point here is not to make you question everything about your reality (although that might actually be a good idea). I simply wanted to unravel the concept of time as an absolute, undeniable power to which we all are subservient. The fact is time serves you, and not the other way around!

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Your Moment Of Power Is Now

Flow with whatever may happen and allow your mind to be free. Stay centered by accepting what you are doing; this is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu Right now is all that we have. Time is an illusion and a construct; what was and what might be are ideals and memories but this moment is real in every measurable way. We can experience the past and the future in vivid detail through both our imagination and our physical senses by way of powerful visualization. But we are unable, in most cases, to fully interact with perceived moments outside of the one in which we currently live. The present moment is the only span of time that truly exists in the purest sense. As you know, tomorrow never arrives. When you awake tomorrow it will once again be today. In the very same manner, no future moment exists outside of conversation and imagination. The present moment is the only frame of time human beings can honestly inhabit. Oddly enough, however, the vast majority of people refrain from living in the present moment. Almost everyone on this planet is lost in a past that is forever gone or a future that does not and may never exist. So while this moment is the only time we have to inhabit, it seems the masses would prefer to have only one foot (if that) in the now and displace the rest of their minds and physical postures in the chaos of imagined timelines. The result is a developed society that is completely separate from the reality of right now. At this very moment billions of people are bodily present in the moment but intellectually and emotionally engaged in the past or the future. Its a bizarre phenomenon when you step back and look it over. In a sense we are a sleeping species; the victims of some powerful spell that keeps us eternally unaware of what is happening within and around us right here and right now. Is it any wonder that scientists estimate the average person uses less than 5% of his or her potential mental power? How can one access the true nature of the minds power when one avoids at all cost taking an honest look at the self and the circumstances of the present moment? The key to full personal empowerment and to living a truly exciting and refreshing life lies in the ability to embrace the now.

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This simple pursuit is one of humanitys oldest spiritual quests and has been at the core of great philosophies for centuries. The e-book you are reading right now will lead you to a better understanding of why the present moment should matter to you and how you can fully engage it in your daily life.

Why Should Now Matter To You?

This subject matter is not the high-gloss, super sexy mainstream hype that appeals to most people. But you arent like most people, or you would never have downloaded this e-book in the first place. You understand there is more to life than material gain, status, and gratifying the ego. Obviously wealth, success, and personal power are spiritual pursuits worthy of your attention, but you realize these are not ends in themselves. You know your life has purpose, and you are compelled to live in that purpose and to connect to something higher than the status quo. Still, its reasonable that you might wonder what there is to gain from learning to embrace the now. The truth is, nothing will be added to you in the traditional sense; rather, a sort of fog will be lifted and you will see life with an empowered sense of clarity. While any list of benefits pales in comparison to the sheer goodness and harmony you will experience by living in the now, I will attempt to capture some of the reasons you should open your mind to this teaching: Happiness. Its the natural state of being and you can return to it at will when you learn to allow and embrace the present moment. Empowerment in all areas of your life. Your newfound clarity will provide you with a sense of security, patience, peace, confidence, and focus you may never have dreamed possible. Present moment mindfulness is the pinnacle of living. Absolute freedom. You will grow to understand that you can have anything you desire, and that nothing can stop you from living the life you choose. As stated previously, your rediscovery of the present moment will likely change your life forever. Empowerment, inspiration, effortless creativity, and joy without boundary are yours for the taking. This truth of being is your right by birth. You have been separated from your essential self by the society in which you live, and your reconnection is at hand.

Experiencing The Present Moment

Before we take the plunge into our discussion of mindfulness and what it means to be immersed fully in right now, a word of caution is in order. The concepts discussed in this book are of a highly experiential nature.

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The topics covered herein must be observed and experienced for oneself to be fully understood. Please consider the words before you as tools and resources to help you move in the right direction, and understand that you must find the truth for yourself. As Lao Tzu capitulated in the very first verse of his timeless classic, Tao Te Ching:

That which is spoken is not the true way, for the true way cannot be spoken.
Of course Lao Tzu went on to speak about the way for a further eighty verses. So while we must admit that conceptualization and written/verbal explanations will never completely capture the essence of most higher truths, these are the tools we have for communicating our ideas to one another. Disclaimer aside, I hope the following pages inspire you to find the truth of the present moment in your own life. In my opinion all other realizations are secondary in value to the point in space and time where you achieve clarity about what the now really is. Most of the time when people encounter information on the value of being mindful of the present moment, they arent entirely clear on whats being expressed. Chances are they think about ideals like patience, focus, and time-management. While these are valuable notions they pale in comparison to the brilliant truth of the now. What I refer to in this book as the now, or the present moment, is actually the purest essence of what it means to be alive and self-aware. Every great advancement of our species since the beginning of time has sprung forth from an immersion in the present moment. And every magnificent artistic achievement in history has been the work of an artist fully engaged in his or her now. All that we are that is great and marvelous exists right here and right now. Endless daydreaming about what is lost and what might have been do nothing to move society forward and even less to insure individual happiness. True power on a level that might honestly shock you exists within the here and now. Knowing this and allowing the now to unfold before you is the key to living an ideal life and achieving all the things you deeply desire. But why is this so? And how is this so? There are many ways to answer these questions. But ultimately any words used serve only to point the way and help you take the first steps on your journey of realization.

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When you allow your conscious mind and your physical body to fully inhabit this moment you allow the force that animates life to flow through you unhindered. This can be called connecting with your source. In truth it doesnt matter how you refer to this phenomenon. What matters is that you experience it for yourself. In just a second I want you to stop reading and observe the here and now. Youll sit back in your chair and become aware of the physical sensation of sitting. And youll simply let go of forced thought, allowing your eyes to see what is there in your field of vision and allowing your ears to hear whatever sounds are about. During this moment, dont interact with your thoughts and feelings. Allow the mind to consider whatever it wants, and just let yourself feel however and whatever comes naturally. At some point, possibly within seconds but perhaps after a longer pause, youll catch yourself following a train of thought and adding new thoughts to the stream. When this happens just let go again and return to a state of sitting there, doing nothing. Immerse yourself in this observation of the present moment for a little while. And once youre ready return to this e-book and well talk about your experience. Let go now and be in the moment as described above. HOW DID IT GO? Many people, when they try to let go and observe the moment, find they are unable to escape the noise of their wandering minds. This is quite normal. If you found it difficult to let go and be in the present moment, dont be discouraged. It takes a bit of practice to free yourself from the way society has taught you to live in your thoughts and constantly entertain yourself with an inner conversation. If you were able to experience even a small window of pure stillness, you probably felt a kind of strange peace and comfort. You may have even noticed spontaneous joy and confidence arising from within you. In some cases individuals are actually overcome with tears of happiness when they first successfully embrace the now. You also may have felt a strong sense of presence. Perhaps you took note, even if subconsciously, of a warm, knowing sensation that permeates the space around you and fills the body you inhabit.

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Your experience cannot be fully put into words, and it is unique to you in many ways. But natural joy, peace, and empowerment are common observations made by all who find the now. Occasionally, if an individual is under major stress or suppressing severe emotional disturbances, he or she might experience a negative reaction with the shift of attention to the present moment. Mild panic attacks are one example of this sort of negative reaction. This kind of experience is a clear warning sign about the way you are currently living. It should be taken very seriously as an indicator of needed change. If you find yourself panic-stricken when you engage the moment you should understand you are probably not dealing with issues in your life that need to be dealt with. Measures should be taken to reduce stress, acknowledge emotional needs, or even find professional help in the form of talk therapy. This certainly doesnt mean anything is wrong with you as a person. The simple fact is if you panic when you become aware of the here and now there are issues within your life that need to be resolved; the good news is that by just learning to let go and be you can work through anything. Whether positive or negative, is the powerful experience of engaging the now a natural observation of the world and the energies that cause it to exist? Or is the entire phenomenon created within the human psyche? The matter is highly debatable. But what science eventually finds when our research procedures and devices become sophisticated enough to answer these questions is of small consequence. It really doesnt matter how the present moment works in mechanical terms. Nor are the exact energies and phenomena involved entirely relevant. What matters is how you and I and every human being on this planet can use the pure experience of the present moment to become our ideal selves and transform society into a much better world. But how? you might wonder. After all arent we talking about observing a simple state of being? We are discussing exactly this and much more. The implications of learning to let go and live your life in the here and now are vast and wonderful. In the present moment one can find redemption for anything done in the past. In the present moment one can find healing on an intellectual as well as deeply emotional and even spiritual level.

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In the present moment one finds all the opportunity needed to accomplish any number of amazing feats. In the present moment one finds peace and happiness that surpasses description. Right here and right now you can know true inspiration. And inspired action, whether the result of divine intervention, a higher level of human consciousness, or mathematical symmetry, is at the root of all great achievements and transformations. Life must be about knowing the self, expanding happiness, transformation into the ideal, and the expression of our core values through our thoughts and actions. Otherwise we are merely surviving. Theres a huge difference in being alive and just being biologically valid. And the essence of life is found right here, right now, in this present moment. Its also worth pointing out that to resist the present moment is to resist life, and to move against the grain of the entire Universe. It took all of universal reality to create the here and now; who are we to move against it?

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Escaping The Chaos Of Manufactured Awareness

If my happiness at this moment consists largely in reviewing happy memories and expectations, I am but dimly aware of this present If, then , my awareness of the past and future makes me less aware of the present, I must begin to wonder whether I am actually living in the real world. - Alan Watts The fact is, your brain and body are not used to observing the natural state of quiet power found in the stillness of now. You have been programmed into a state of perpetual anxiety, restlessness, and internal chatter. Therefore, it is from this perspective that we must begin our journey. Because of the mindset society instills within us at an early age, we may find it difficult to fully understand the concept of the present moment when it is first presented to us. Its simple enough to grasp the idea of sitting still and paying attention to what is happening around us for a moment or two; but often the true depth of this pursuit is lost on the individual who is seeking a connection with here and now for the first time. It may help to understand that being in the present moment is not an occasional exercise to perform. Instead, it is a state of being whereby you accept what is without attempting to add your own thoughts or manipulate present circumstances in any way. As you will discover, awareness of the moment can be allowed to unfold on a continuous basis. Instead of thinking in terms of focused concentration, consider the idea of being aware of both your surroundings and your internal workings (thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations) on a moment-by-moment basis. You arent trying to make anything happen; you are allowing what is to be. This immersion in the passive practice of awareness is often called mindfulness. I like this term, but I must also stress the importance of not getting hung up on terminology or rigid parameters. The notion of flowing with the moment instead of moving about in a state of tension and forced conjecture has an intuitive quality to it. We feel the rightness of the idea, even as we have difficulty reaching a satisfactory intellectual understanding of it. Let go of your need to understand in logical terms. Free your mind from its obsessive desire to label, dissect, and categorize. It may help you to know that your unconscious mind is always at work, and there is no real need for you to consciously analyze and calculate every waking moment. You will not lose any intelligence or mental ability by surrendering your awareness to the present

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moment; in fact your new state of relaxation and flexibility will make it easier for you to call forth specific knowledge and organized information when it is appropriate to do so. Release the need to control your thoughts and feelings in this moment. Allow your mind to expand into the unrestricted space of here and now.

Quieting Your Internal Dialogue

From the time you learn to speak, you begin thinking in verbal patterns. Over time you develop an ongoing, mental dialogue that you use to navigate through each waking moment. You may be so accustomed to the constant, internal conversation you have with yourself that you cant conceive the idea of setting this silent chatter aside. What you must realize is that your constant inner dialogue is preventing you from experiencing the real now. If you make a point to observe your self talk over the course of a few days, youll find the majority of the conversation is concerned with past events and future concerns; and in most cases regret and anxiety are central themes. Even the tendency to talk yourself through the present moment is counterproductive. A mind that is truly free is able to act outside of verbal patterns, and can both process stimuli and command the body without the need to chat about it. Imagine how much more productive you will be when you no longer need to discuss every decision and action with yourself. Understand also that much of the stress and worry you now manage in your life will evaporate in the absence of constant inner chatter. Verbal thought patterns have their place in life. In fact a great deal of pleasure can be derived from this type of solitary recollection. But living every moment in this manner is less than ideal, and is a huge obstacle on your journey to personal power in the present moment. So how can you free yourself from the constant jabbering inside your head? You can take a step back and observe the conversation, as if from the outside. Youve had the ability to do this for your entire life, though you may have never considered it until now. Its a simple process that may take some practice, but will ultimately come to you with ease because its part of your natural state. Heres an insight into how easily you can step back and observe your internal dialogue, and in fact observe yourself. Consider where you are at this very moment. Are you sitting in a chair in your office, relaxing in a coffee shop, or perhaps kicking back on your couch? Take note of your immediate surroundings, and become aware of the physical sensation of sitting or holding your current position.

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Now, turn your attention to who is noticing these things. Are you able to be fully aware of yourself in the same way you would observe another person? Or did you catch a fleeting glimpse of self before being absorbed back into your familiar state of disconnection and comfortable haze? Heres another good exercise while the experience is fresh in your mind: Consider your hand for a moment. Hold it up in front of you and wiggle your fingers for a few seconds. Take a good look at your palm, perhaps feeling a warm sensation in the very center, and then turn your hand over and look at the bones along the back. Know this is your hand. Accept deeply that your hand is a part of you. Now ask yourself, who is this you who owns the hand you are now looking at? Again, did you experience an awareness of self? Were you able to take note of yourself as you would acknowledge another person sitting across the room from you? The same technique can be applied to observe your internal chattering. When you catch yourself lost in the depth of an inner conversation, step back and look at the dialogue as if it is coming from another person. Dont identify with the dialogue, and dont add to it or attempt to stop it. Just let it flow and continue watching. After a moment, let go of the verbal pattern completely and watch it fall away. Embrace the silence, and when the chatter returns acknowledge it and repeat the above process of stepping back, observing, and releasing. With a little practice you will be able to easily observe your thoughts and self talk on a regular basis. And this is the beginning of a whole new reality; you are taking the first steps toward living fully within the present moment. This process alone will bring you to a level of self-awareness and raised consciousness that most of society will never attain. From here you can expect a wide range of new experiences, including but not limited to greater understanding of self, increased patience, improved ability to focus, concentrate, & remember, and the general feeling of more energy and enthusiasm.

Finding The Observer

The simple allowing exercise above is part of a greater process. I like to refer to this process as finding the observer, and I consider it key to the attainment of pure mindfulness.

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However I must stress again, these are only exercises. Consider them pointers and tools to be used, and not fundamental truths or rigid dogmas. Youll note the term allowing exercise from above. This is another reference to the ideal of letting go and allowing what is to unfold and be. Finding Your Moment Of Power is not about forcing, building strength/skill, or adding knowledge and content to your intellectual mind. This path is about accepting who and what you really are and being content to trust your true inner nature. In mainstream society all progress is about using force, projecting power, and/or kicking some ass, so to speak. Such a paradigm has a place in the world, and Im not even suggesting that exoteric approach is wrong while the esoteric practice outlined in this e-book is right. But I believe, as do numerous enlightened teachers from many ancient cultures, the true path to peace, power, and happiness is about surrendering to the infinitely brilliant flow of life and not about exerting our willpower on the world around us. And this returns us to the idea of stepping back, observing, and allowing. The present moment is all around us at all times (see exercise below), and to form our connection with the now all we must do is let go and be aware. The following section will contain some practical exercises you can use to enhance your experience of the present moment and to become more aware of your capacity for mindfulness. Note, these exercises are not about adding new knowledge or building new skills; they are about learning to recognize the wonderful ability you already have to allow the present moment. Some of the following exercises will require you to open your mind and think in abstract terms. Relax and follow your intuition as you interpret the loose instructions for each practice; and understand these words are merely helping to indicate the path for you. MINDULFNESS EXERCISE #1: THE SPACE AROUND YOU This is a great practice for very quickly finding your connection to the now. 1. 2. 3. 4. Relax as completely as possible. Become aware of the empty space around your body. See this empty space resting between you and other people/objects. Feel this empty space around your physical form and between all things.

As you notice the void between the physical forms and objects around you, your awareness will be in the present moment. And your mind will focus on the here and now.

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The above technique is easy to apply, and its a wonderful way to allow the now throughout your day; you can even do this in the middle of a conversation. With practice you will reveal a deep connection with the present moment, and will begin to feel empowered through a sense of clarity, freedom, and groundedness. MINDULFNESS EXERCISE #2: THE PERFECT DARKNESS Having read this far, your reality will likely be changed forever. For you are now aware of another possible state of being: mindfulness. From this point forward you will, probably many times each day, become spontaneously aware of your separation from the moment and feel compelled to let go of the chaos and let the now back into your conscious perception. This practice is most helpful when you realize you are lost in the chaos of your day. Ideally you will take a moment to step aside from whatever you are doing to engage this exercise, but its also possible to use this technique in the span of a couple of seconds, making it available to you even in the midst of other activities. 1. 2. 3. 4. Relax as completely as possible. Close your eyes. See the complete darkness. Place all of your attention on this darkness. After a moment, use your eyes to direct your awareness as follows: (keep your eyes closed and do not visualize continue to see only the dark) a. Shift your attention to a spot between and slightly above your eyes. Hold your focus here and remain aware of the darkness. b. Shift your attention to the center of the top of your head. Again hold your focus here and continue to see the darkness. c. Shift your attention to your hands. Remember to use your eyes to direct your awareness, and be aware of the thick darkness; you cant see your hands but your eyes are pointing your mind toward them. d. Shift your attention to your feet. Again do not imagine or visualize your feet, but literally use your eyes to focus toward them, being very aware of the darkness that prevents you from seeing them. e. Allow your attention to float back up from your feet and to rest in the general darkness in front of and around you. See and feel only the darkness, allowing your mind to float freely without forced thought. 5. Continue this exercise for as long as you like, but ideally only a few minutes. When finished, open your eyes and allow your awareness to rest on the empty space around you. Use EXERCISE #1 to transition from the darkness back to your day, relaxing and allowing what is to unfold.

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This practice is a great way to get centered throughout your day. Regular engagement will make it easy for you to remain connected with the here and now, no matter what you are doing or what may be happening around you. MINDULFNESS EXERCISE #3: FINDING THE SELF While perhaps a bit more thought-based than the previous exercises, this practice is a very good way to embrace the moment and to encourage an overall heightened sense of self-awareness and alertness. 1. Relax as completely as possible. 2. Place the palm of your hand directly over the center of your chest, atop the sternum or breastbone. Place your other hand, palm down, atop the first hand. 3. Feel the gentle pressure and warmth of your hands in the center of your chest. 4. Allow your awareness to rest in the center of your chest. 5. Ask yourself this question: Who am I and what do I want? 6. Shift your attention immediately to the empty space around you. 7. Feel your presence, and be aware of yourself sitting or standing there in the same way you would observe another human being. 8. When your mind begins to wander, or when your internal dialogue arises, shift your attention back to your hands over your chest, and become vividly aware of the bottom hand, which is resting on your breastbone. 9. Identify with this hand. Acknowledge ownership of this hand. Without using words or self-talk, become fully aware of this hand as your hand. 10. When you feel the strong sense of possession, or ownership, of your hand, quickly turn your attention to who is having this experience of ownership. This practice comes easily to a few, but is difficult for the majority at first. Dont become frustrated if you are unable to get it the first few times you try. Ultimately this technique is about stepping back from your ego mind and being able to observe the self without attachment. Your conscious thoughts are only a part of you. Despite what most people believe the mind is not the absolute essence of self, and it can be observed from a third person kind of vantage point. Developing this kind of awareness will free you from the petty burdens and setbacks that plague most of the population. And this state of mind is central to the process of learning to live fully in the present moment. You should expand upon this practice by seeking a continual awareness of self. This is not accomplished through hard work and constant striving; in fact its quite the opposite. You need only to relax and let yourself be. Turn your attention inward and intentionally detach from the self; as if to watch your thoughts and feelings from behind and/or above.

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Acknowledge that part of you who is reading and understanding these words. Be aware of the mind that is processing this information in the present moment. Now step back from your thought processes and allow them to proceed without your direct involvement. It sounds abstract, maybe even a little crazy at first. But I assure you this is a proven technique for detaching into an observational awareness. Accept yourself as the ultimate observer. You can watch your thoughts rise and flow, and you can be keenly aware of the formation and expression of your emotions. From this perspective reactionary thinking and strong emotions cannot control you. You will be the true master of your life. And you will be engaged fully in the here and now, and in your present moment of power. MINDULFNESS EXERCISE #4: BEING IN THE BODY Many people think the physical form is somehow beneath the higher state of being. Particularly in the case of spiritual belief systems, the idea of our bodies and physical experiences as lower expressions is common. I believe this is a fallacy. Science tells us that all existence, even the physical plane, is actually vibrating energy, or light. Therefore the physical can be no less transcendent, spiritual, or magnificent than our various levels of consciousness. Or bodies can serve as a wonderful tool for connecting to the now and centering in the present moment. This is a great practice for overcoming tension, and for centering yourself in any situation. You can easily engage this exercise while in motion or at rest. The steps below are a bit less formally organized than previous exercises because your bodily experience will vary a bit each time. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Shift your attention to your general body feeling. Allow your weight to rest naturally beneath you. Take note of any tiredness, tension, elation, or other sensations first. Focus on areas of heavy tension and allow them to sink and relax. Next pay attention to any pain, discomfort, or pleasure. Make no effort to change these sensations, just be with each one for a few moments. 6. Notice a general feeling of warmth, and/or presence within your torso. 7. Also find this warmth in the palms of your hands and elsewhere. 8. Feel any subtle movements or flow of energy within your body. 9. Be aware of the physical sensations coming in from all over your body. 10. Allow your awareness to rest on your entire physical form, noting the shape of your frame and any feelings or sensations that emerge from within. Daily observance of the above steps will greatly enhance your overall sense of awareness.

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Being connected to your body makes it easier to live in the moment. And it encourages a healthier lifestyle, which in turn improves all aspects of living. This practice is especially effective for people who smoke, overeat, refuse to exercise, drink too much alcohol, or otherwise abuse/neglect their body. Over time, a growing awareness of and bond with the body makes it quite impossible to continue consumption of a destructive substance, or to refrain from regular activities like exercise and stretching that strengthen and exhilarate the physical being. MINDULFNESS EXERCISE #5: BEING WITH YOUR PERCEPTIONS Have fun with the following technique. You can and should teach this exercise to small children to help them remain connected with the sate of being in the now. 1. Relax as completely as possible. 2. Shift your attention to the physical sensations of sitting/standing in your current position. In other words, be aware of your hips and legs against the chair, your feet touching the ground, your arms resting against the desk, and any other tactile experiences you may be having in this moment. Just be with this awareness. 3. After a few seconds, become keenly aware of all the things in your field of vision. Without losing awareness of your sense of touch, add the awareness of anything that is registering visually in this moment. Sit and be aware of both what you are touching and what you are seeing for a moment. 4. Without letting go of your senses of touch and sight, now become aware of everything that you are hearing in this moment. Dont try to predict or guide, simply allow your ears to hear all the sounds occurring around you. Sit and be aware of all the things you are touching, seeing, and hearing for a moment. 5. Without letting go of your senses of touch, sight, and hearing, become aware of any smells you are experiencing in this moment. Acknowledge and allow any scents or odors around you. Taking a deep breath through your nose will help center on your sense of smell. Sit and be aware of all the things you are touching, seeing, hearing, and smelling for a moment. 6. Without letting go of your senses of touch, sight, hearing, and smell, become aware of any tastes you may be experiencing here in this moment. Swallowing and/or moving your tongue around inside your mouth will make it easier to notice these tastes. Sit and be aware of all the things you are touching, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting for a moment. 7. Without imagining or forcing, sit for a few moments and just be with all five of your senses. Try to simultaneously be aware of all of this sensory input at the same time. If you lose a sense, just focus gently on it for a few seconds to recover it and then relax back into your observance of all five senses. While challenging at first, this exercise becomes very natural with practice. Youll find your casual awareness expanding rapidly after only a few sessions.

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The sequence above is only one possibility. Feel free to begin the process with any one of your senses and then move through the others in whatever order you like. The most common question people ask after experiencing exercise #5 is: Why cant I be this tuned in all the time? The answer, I believe, is: We can; in fact you and I are hardwired to be extremely observant. Its hard to imagine our ancestors spent most of their day spaced out. Life in the wilderness probably didnt allow for the same love of day dreaming most of us cultivated by our early teen years. MINDULFNESS EXERCISE #6: BASIC MEDITATION PRACTICE Of course the ultimate foundation in the development of present moment mindfulness is regular meditation. There are many forms of meditation you can work with, but the best method for our purposes is a simple observation process. You have most likely seen or practiced guided meditations that require you to imagine yourself in a peaceful setting, focus on something you want to manifest, or visualize a specific concept or event. Such exercises have their place, and can be highly beneficial, but the purest form of meditative practice is much less active and does not rely on conceptualization. Basic meditation is still, quiet awareness that can be described candidly as watching your breath, thoughts, and bodily experience unfold without adding to any of these processes. Honestly its a difficult concept for the modern mind to embrace because most of us have a deep need to always be doing something. In contrast to these instincts, meditation is about non-activity and restful watching. Imagine sitting in a detached state of alertness, wherein you can see yourself sitting comfortably in a quiet, empty room. In this state you are aware of your breath as it rises and falls, but you do not make any effort to control your breathing or establish a specific rhythm. You are also aware of your own constant mental and emotional activity. Your mind continues to process thoughts, but rather than participate in an internal discussion you simply allow these thoughts to rise and fall without getting involved. By the same token you watch as your emotions cycle naturally, making no effort to become attached to or involved with any particular emotional state. Ideally you are able to watch yourself without forming an opinion of what you see, and without needing to control the thoughts, emotions, and breathing patterns that naturally emerge. Follow the instructions below to practice the observation method of meditation.

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1. Find a quiet, empty room for this meditation. Close the door if possible and be certain nobody will disturb you; turn off all phones and eliminate bright lighting as well. 2. Ideally you should wear comfortable clothes and spend a few minutes stretching your arms, legs, back, shoulders, and hips. You dont need to know Yoga or any specific physical training regimen for this; a few simple stretches that loosen you up and get your blood pumping will suffice. 3. Take a seat, either cross-legged on the floor or on the very edge of a solid chair. If you choose the floor, place a cushion under your butt to support the lower back. Be sure your spine is straight and not supported by the back of a chair or any other object. 4. Open your hands and rest them on the top of your thighs or knees. You can allow the palms to face upward or press them downward, whichever comes naturally to you. 5. When you are seated comfortably, shift your attention in turn to your neck, shoulders, spine, hips, and thighs. Notice any tightness or strain, and then feel the tension leave each area before moving onto the next region and repeating the process of release. 6. Close your eyes. (Optional) 7. Listen to/feel the breath leaving your lungs. Pause, and then take one deep, relaxed breath that completely fills your lungs from bottom to top. Hold this new breath for a few seconds until it feels natural to let it go; as you exhale also release the anticipation of future breathes. 8. Just settle into the darkness, allowing your awareness to rest wherever it wants. If you notice the feeling of your body in its current position, fine. If you notice the blackness of your eyelids, fine. Whatever you happen to notice here in the present moment is perfect. Let go and make no effort to control or direct your awareness. 9. Most likely, you will become aware of your breathing. This could happen as soon as you release that first big breath or it could happen after a few seconds. Just watch your breath rise and fall naturally without interfering or controlling. 10. If you dont find your breathing dont worry about it. Let your mind flow freely. 11. If you have trouble relaxing or catch yourself interacting with thoughts, silently repeat I am to reset your awareness. Allow the statement to linger and fade naturally; thereafter youll either follow your breathing or drift in the silence.

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Obviously you should read the above table a few times and think it over before actually engaging this meditation practice. Dont make a big deal out of any one point; just get a feel for the basic idea and then set aside 5 to 15 minutes to experience it. Using a timer is helpful because it prevents that awkward sense of wondering if you should stop or keep going. This may occur if you lose the flow, become distracted with a thought, or begin controlling your breath. Timer or no, should any of these distractions occur simply accept them and then let them go. Return to your meditative state and do not become upset with yourself. It is completely natural and unavoidable to become distracted during this practice. However with time you will be able to completely lose yourself in the stillness for longer periods; youll be completely aware during these periods but not in the typical sense. While many experts have written numerous books describing exactly what this type of meditation is like, how it should make you feel, and so forth, the truth is the very essence of this practice goes beyond what we can say or write. Most people dont want to accept this. They need a conscious understanding of how things work, and they crave a detailed list of exactly what theyll get out of the whole affair. For purposes of this e-book let me assure you: The observation method of meditation is a superb tool for learning to be in the moment. Whatever other benefits you may derive from the practice will depend on the specifics of you and your personal journey. Even if I could spell it out for you, would you really want me to? Whats the point of being in these bodies, having this life experience, and participating in the process of birth and death if the sum of it all can be delivered in a list of bullet points? Some things go beyond our ability to summarize with words, and once you accept this you open the door to the really great breakthroughs.

The Art Of Letting Go

What all these exercises lead to is the ability to let go and trust the flow of life. This ideal is central to the concept of mindfulness. Obsessing over every detail and attempting to run the show from your ego center is counterproductive. Instead of striving to always plan and control, practice simply accepting what is.

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To many people this sounds like a defeatist notion. Its easy to interpret letting go and accepting what is to mean you should give up hope and brace yourself for imminent disappointment. But the opposite is true. We find ultimate power in acceptance, not in aggressive denial of the truth. You and I may be manifesting our own realities, but we are not likely doing so through our ego minds. Modern science has only a rudimentary grasp on what consciousness is and how it works. But we can safely assert that there exist many levels of consciousness. The layer of consciousness we can most readily understand is the ego mind. It is here that our identity, personality, and individual preferences dwell. While we often assume our identity/ego is the control center for all that we are, in fact this part of us exists in the lower spectrum of consciousness. Certainly the ego is involved in the process of manifesting reality, but research and introspection suggests this level of consciousness plays only a minor role in shaping our destinies. Most likely our higher minds are the creative centers. These subconscious or wholly unconscious levels of mind know everything about us and probably everything about the world we inhabit, but the majority of this knowledge is outside of our waking grasp. We can, however, learn to access this higher knowledge. And the first step in doing so is letting go of our ego-centered need for control and trusting the higher good. Initially this feels strange and difficult, but in fact this ability is an intuitive part of human nature. Consider that many cells in your body store only a few seconds of oxygen and nutrients, diligently performing their work and trusting the greater good to care for and nurture them. Your unconscious mind already knows what you want. There is no need to worry over any objective. And your unconscious mind has probably already chosen the optimal course of action. When you stop the internal chatter and let go, you will be able to hear the inspired message from within. If you can relate to the experience of leaping into exactly the correct action at precisely the right time, only pausing to think about your options afterwards, you have witnessed the fluid power of your higher mind at work. Imagine living in this state of right action (also called inspired action) all the time! When we refrain from pushing and forcing, life has a way of working out for the greatest good of all concerned. We cant always see this from the perspective of ego, which has evolved to protect us from pain and discomfort.

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We must put aside our anxiety, fear, and doubt in order to receive the fullest blessings life has to offer. Trust and allow that which is and youll begin to live at the pinnacle of inspiration. The art of letting go is especially crucial when you want to manifest a new result, create a new success, or bring some new experience into your life. This is very different from the beliefs most people hold regarding progress and achievement. From childhood we are taught that any worthwhile goal is attained only through relentless work and constant diligence. But the truth of the matter is we often push the things we want away by over thinking and constantly checking our progress to see if were closing on our goal. Blessings indeed miracles flow freely when we are relaxed in our desires and content to let the universe deliver our gifts in a time and manner that serves the highest good. There is a passage in the Tao Te Ching that truly captures this ideal. I read it many times without fully understanding it, and then one day when I was reading an article about manifestation and law of attraction, these profound words became clear to me:

Great work is done and then forgotten, thus it lasts forever.

Clearly this ancient text is pointing to the power of letting go. We focus our intentions, take our inspired action, express our deepest feelings, and then we let go; and our great work if it is in alignment with the truth will be carried by the entire Universe.

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Living In Your Moment Of Power

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond belief." - Marianne Williamson Now that you have a better understanding of what it means to be mindful of the present moment, its imperative to embrace the idea of sustained mindfulness. Your moment of power exists beyond morning exercises and daily meditations. Living in the now is not something you do for a few minutes each day. Indeed your whole life will be different from here forward as you allow this moment to unfold and expand continuously. All of life occurs here and now. As you already know, time as a collection of numbered units is a human construct, not a natural law. You challenge now and always is simply to allow the moment and flow with the natural current. Writer and teacher Eckhart Tolle has a wonderful way of expressing this aspiration; he urges his readers to simply say YES to the moment. In other words, when you inevitably catch yourself lost in thought, hiding from the present moment, or obsessing over the past or future, simply let go. Ground yourself in the here and now by just saying yes. You might use one of the exercises in this book, or perhaps over time you will develop your own unique method of centering in the now. But what you must not do is become upset with yourself for slipping back into the fog. Its easy to become flustered, even angry with ourselves for losing the moment and reverting to the chaos of thought-controlled awareness. There is the tendency to feel as if I know better than this. But when you move in this direction you risk further denial of the moment. While youre busy scolding yourself and picturing how you should be you are very much disconnected from the present moment and engaged in daydreaming. So when you catch yourself living separate from the now, accept it and then relax immediately back into the present moment. Decades of conditioning will not immediately vanish once youve completed this e-book and/or other courses; and putting undue pressure on yourself to be instantly transformed defeats the purpose of this message. Living in your moment of power is about being at ease and experiencing the clarity, peace, well-being, and enthusiasm your life was meant to embody. This should never become a chore, an act of rigorous discipline, or a difficult, unpleasant pursuit.

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Make no mistake: Being fully present in the now is a great challenge. But it should be fun and invigorating, not exhausting and frustrating! Use the exercises and suggestions outlined previously to guide you. And remember this simple formula: 1. To the best of your ability, begin each day with meditation. 2. Tell yourself, and remind yourself, that each new moment is unlimited potential. 3. When you find yourself disconnected from the now just accept it, and then embrace the moment anew. Dont keep score and dont become frustrated. 4. Understand that you are not bound by time, and that you are always free in this present moment to live out your inspired destiny. This is all pretty straightforward stuff, right? The following sections will address common questions about living in the now and provide you with additional insights for allowing the present moment to unfold more richly within your own life.

What About Plans And Visualization?

When introduced to material like what you are reading in this PDF, one of the first protests likely to be made by self-improvement proponents is: But what about making plans, setting goals, and visualizing outcomes? How does all this here and now jazz square with these proven methods? You should buckle in at this time because the ride may get a tad bumpy here. The fact is, these matters are highly debatable. I could say that plans and goals are unnecessary when one is living in moment-bymoment inspiration. After all, the higher mind already knows what you want, whether said desire really serves you, and how youll achieve this goal if it is worthy of you. Since living fully in the now connects you to the higher consciousness, you simply dont need to worry with things like making plans, drawing up lists, and visualizing your desires. I could say this, but Im not going to. Understand I believe living fully in the flow of now releases one from the need to plan or set goals. But most of us in the 21st century are far from pure in terms of living 100% in the undistorted here and now. I think our species needs to evolve a few more ticks before we can realistically throw out the vision boards, task lists, and focused intention exercises. The careers of Brian Tracy and other goals gurus are quite safe for the time being.

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Setting goals for what you want to accomplish in the future is fun and productive. Just aspire to set the goals that truly emerge from within, and avoid trying to commit to obligatory objectives. In other words, dump any ideas that you should have this, or that you really ought to accomplish that. Honor only those goals that resonate with your heart, and understand that you are setting goals in the present moment. Theres nothing wrong with thinking about the future. Planning ahead, anticipating impending joy, and visualizing yourself in a state of victory are all worthy pursuits. And you do all of this in the present moment. Were looking at a fine line here. On one side there is rampant daydreaming and denial of the now. On the other side is the simple act of envisioning the future while still being grounded right here and right now. Spiritual maturity is needed to make the distinction; I cant give you a formula for deciding if youre setting healthy goals or losing yourself in the haze of a possible future. A good rule is to simply go with your gut feeling. Now that you really want to live in your moment of power, be mindful of your feelings as you write down a new goal or spend a few minutes visualizing that $10,000 pay check. If you feel uncomfortable, like youre cheating, step back and assess. A tangible discomfort often centered in your stomach, chest, or hands can mean you are acting out of balance with your highest good; in this case it may indicate you are not grounded in the present. But if you feel elated by the prospect of realizing your goal, and/or you experience a very real sense of physical euphoria while you visualize a desired outcome, its likely that you are being true to the moment. It sounds paradoxical, and perhaps it is, but you can be in this moment while projecting your intentions into the future. Other writers may well disagree with me. But I hold that one can absolutely visualize the future while remaining centered in the now. The same is true of remembering the past. It is not inherently wrong or counterproductive to recall past events, whether for the purpose of simple pleasure or to calculate a learning experience. We can and do remember the past from a strong foundation in this present moment. This is completely different from dwelling in the past from a place of regret or loss, which obviously detracts from our awareness of now and creates tension and disharmony within us.

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I realize it may be difficult to conceptualize the idea of remaining in the now while focusing on the past or the future. But it may help you to know that some ancient traditions define enlightenment as the ability to transcend time completely and see the past, present, and future as one and the same.

Gratitude Will Be Your Anchor

At the heart of present moment mindfulness is the feeling of genuine gratitude for all that is. Its so much easier to be immersed in the now when you are sincerely thankful for the many blessings that make up your present reality. And going back to the previous section for a moment, a strong sense of gratitude is what makes it possible to project into the future or recall the past without losing your awareness of the present. When you feel truly grateful for your life and the people, events, places, and things that color your experiences its not difficult to observe the moment-to-moment unfolding of bliss and joy. Any gratitude exercises you know can be immensely useful for strengthening your bond with the now. The simplest example of how this works is to stop right now and take note of all the things in your present awareness that you are thankful for. Most likely you can identify a multitude of blessings within the immediate reach of your sensory faculties; what can you see, hear, touch, taste, or smell from where you are right now that fills you with gratitude? Another easy way to get into alignment with gratitude is to use the law of relativity to your advantage. To see how this works, simply adjust your perspective as follows: Most people think from the vantage point of This is where I am and these are all the things that either arent working out or are going in a direction other than what I desire. Even highly motivated people tend to see life from this angle; there is the current status and then there are all the things that are wrong or not according to plan. If you are also standing at this vantage, do a complete 180 degree turn and look at life as follows: This is where I am and here are all the things that are going exactly as planned or working out in a way that is even better than I had hoped! Simply ignore undesirable results for purposes of this exercise and mentally acknowledge every positive result or experience you are having in life. For example, where before you may have been fixating on the fact that you are $600 behind on your sales goal, with your new perspective you will simply be pleased by your ability to work and with every new dollar that comes in; i.e. Im so fortunate to be in business for myself and just look at all these sales Im making today!

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It sounds elementary, but this shift in observation will create a completely new reality, relative to the way you previously looked at things. You will be overflowing with gratitude because your focus will be on everything big and small that is serving you and making you happy in your current situation. Daily affirmations are a superb method for staying in touch with gratitude, and thus remaining connected to the now. You can use standard index cards to write out your affirmations for easy reference, thereby making it easy to access and repeat them throughout the day. Always be sure to write your positive affirmations in the present tense, and use happy, relaxed language. For instance you might write/read the following: Im having another fabulous day on all levels. Money flows to me from many sources, my body feels strong, flexible, and fit, and I am surrounded by great people who love me for who I am. These exercises are great for programming your unconscious mind (a topic for another ebook), and they empower you here and now, in this present moment. Whatever methods you use to remain in a state of gratitude, youll find its easier to be in the now when you are sincerely thankful for the events, circumstances, and people in your life.

Finding Yourself In The Present Moment

If I asked you what your highest core values are, could you immediately answer? Or would you need to think it over? Most people have no real idea what their core values are. Its common for individuals to answer questions about their values with regurgitations about family, hard work, freedom and other vague concepts their parents, teachers, favorite politicians, and church leaders have urged them to care about. Im not suggesting family, freedom, and other status quo values are unworthy ideals. I am merely pointing out that most people have no real clue about what matters the most to them. Life becomes more vibrant and stimulating when you awake to your true values. I believe one of the core purposes of the life experience is to use this world as a vehicle for expressing our highest ideals. The majority of human beings on this planet are not in touch with who they really are. They try, with little success, to cast themselves into the archetypical molds they see in the movies, in the tabloid media, or elsewhere, but they are in fact strangers to themselves. This e-book is not about self-exploration or self-esteem per se. At the same time, how can any work that encourages personal development not be concerned with both?

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If you dont have an intimate knowledge of who you are and what really matters to you theres virtually no chance youll attain real success or happiness on any level. And this present moment is the perfect opportunity to really find yourself. As you embrace the now and become more adept at living each new moment without strain or contrivance, the real you will begin to emerge. Youll find a very substantial essence that lies behind how you want others to see you, and behind even how you want to see yourself. Youll be able to let go of any preconceived ideas about what you should think, how you are supposed to believe, and so forth. The spirit that arises will be the beautiful, confident, truly magnificent person you came into this world to be. This gift of self is perhaps the most moving experience you can derive from living in the present moment. Its likely youll be shocked by how different you really are from the person you have long believed yourself to be. In the timeless now you are not restrained by false values, i.e. there is no pressure to think and believe in a way that pleases others and helps you to fit in. Also in this moment there is nobody to impress, nothing to be ashamed of, and no reason at all to deny the true self in preference of some made up persona. It may be rare that you stop to really appreciate the good, loving, intelligent, worthwhile human being you are. This world is better in many ways because you are here with us, and once you escape the chaos of manufactured awareness and begin to live in the now youll see all this with great clarity. You will know yourself. And you will naturally love yourself.

Finding Redemption In The Present Moment

Now is the time to forgive yourself for anything in your past that still causes you pain. Anything you have done to harm yourself or another is not part of this moment, and you are free to release the pain of these past events. Every life experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. The concept of failure is inherently flawed, for there can be no true failure as long as you continue to grow and expand. Aspirants in the Japanese art of Ninpo use the phrase: Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo. Two conceptual translations of this statement are: 1. Everything holds the start of understanding. 2. Every experience contains the potential for the enlightenment we seek.

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All experiences have value. Even the most humiliating and temporarily frustrating excerpts from your past can be seen in a valuable light; or they can simply be released forever and no longer allowed to trouble you. Living in your present moment of power, no past mistakes, shortcomings, embarrassments, or even intentionally self-destructive actions can harm you. There is only this moment, this moment, this moment One of the most empowering and liberating acts you can perform is to forgive yourself. Right here and now, forgive yourself for anything and everything that remains a source of pain and embarrassment from your past. You dont need any special ceremony, and you dont even need to recall every specific event or incident that troubles you. You can and should simply choose to forgive yourself and embrace the new person you are in this new moment. You, and you alone, have the power to bring the experience of forgiveness into your life. Note emphasis on experience; were not talking about paying lip service to the idea of forgiveness and then sinking right back into a state of guilt and disruption. True forgiveness is about completely letting go and then moving on. To live the rest of your life in your moment of personal power you must first forgive the past without reservation. Find a mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and forgive yourself aloud and with great enthusiasm. Or perform any number of meditations or rituals designed to help you break free from the poisons of guilt and resentment. The point is to truly, deeply, and lovingly forgive yourself in the present moment. Do this and you will be free to live at your personal pinnacle. And bear in mind you can forgive yourself again at any time if you feel the need. Consider the way basic meditation works. When you find yourself following thoughts or engaging your internal dialogue you simply take note and then let go. Living in the moment of redemption follows the same process. When you find yourself feeling embarrassed or agitated about any part of the past just acknowledge the feelings, forgive them, and return your awareness to the now.

Finding Your Inspiration In The Present Moment

One of the most sublime joys in life is creativity. Whether expressed through the development of a new product, an original song, a sincere personal note on a friends birthday card, or a clever joke made at the lunch table, the act of creation aligns one with a powerful sense of vigor and elation.

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The essence of life is creating and expanding. Therefore we are most alive in those moments of vision and originality when we can share a part of our true selves with the world. In the present moment creativity flows from the universal source like a raging river. You have unlimited access to ideas and inspiration in the now. Artificial concepts like writers block simply do not exist when you open yourself to the present. Only when you are closed off from the moment and anchored in the past or future do you have trouble finding your natural creative genius. Likewise you only struggle with hard decisions because of your disconnection from the now. Your unconscious mind knows the way, and when you allow what is to unfold you can choose your direction with ease. Consider any issue that has been troubling you recently. It may be a business dilemma, or perhaps a personal decision that needs to be made. Fixate on the exact problem for a few seconds. Now release thought and answer: What do you really want to do about it? (Dont think. Just answer.) When your mind is clear and you are fully present in the now, the above exercise is all you need to make decisions of any size. You always know the way, but sometimes you are uncomfortable with or afraid of the potential implications of change. It has been said, and I tend to agree, that when we are truly in the moment of inspiration we act before thinking. Conscious deliberation has a place in life but it is actually of limited value when major decisions need to be executed. The state of no mind, as described since ancient times, is a pure and thought-free awareness in which one is able to spontaneously make the right decisions. This ability is inherent within you but can only be released through practiced mindfulness of the present moment. You have every reason to trust yourself. You are wise, deliberate, kind, and generous; and you wish to add value to the world and to the lives of those you care about. As you embrace each new moment, begin playing with spontaneous right choice. You can start with the small decisions, like where to eat dinner and which color shirt to pick out. Let go of worry and allow each new decision to simply unfold. Youll be amazed by how natural it feels to let decisions make themselves. And you will be pleased when you see how correct/appropriate your spontaneous choices are.

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The Ultimate Opportunity Is Here And Now

Right now is the opportunity to create wealth, find love, and become exactly the person you aspire to be. This moment is what we have to work with, and it is more than sufficient for greatness. Your thoughts, feelings, and actions right now should embody the reality you desire. This is the only way to manifest your personal ideas of success and happiness. The circumstances you are currently experiencing are the result of previous thoughts, feelings, and actions. By emotionally immersing yourself in present results you will recreate them for the immediate future. Your focus at this time should be on thinking, feeling, and acting in a way that is consistent with the reality you wish to create. But hold on, what about all this mindfulness talk? And now Im on about not paying attention to current results? This is another paradox. And its an important one. Absolutely you should remain aware of your moment just as it is. Deny nothing, and regret even less. If you are enjoying exactly the results you prefer right now, all you need to do is remain grateful and continue to expand. But if you feel disappointed in any areas (business, romance, etc.) you should understand that you can release your current circumstances and create new ones by aligning with the reality you prefer. Lets use the example of money. Imagine you are $1,500 short on your monthly expenses. Clearly this is the reality you are living in the moment. Accept and honor it. But how you accept it is what matters in terms of the reality youll manifest from here. You could allow your cash deficit to depress and discourage you, thus creating a bleak present of lack and uncertainty. Or you could accept the temporary setback as a lesson and center on your gratitude for the money you do have, while noticing a relaxed, confident desire to create more. Thinking like the man or woman you will become does not necessarily need to pull your awareness away from the present moment. You can joyfully embrace the wonderful things you intend to create in your future while living graciously and fully in the now. Again, this is the only way to produce your vision of success. Planning and talking about what you will do are empty gestures without the right frame of mind and spirit.

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Be exactly the person you want to be here and now and the universe will arrange the events and circumstances necessary to fulfill your desires. A complete discussion of manifestation is beyond the scope of this e-book but its imperative to understand that creating your ideal life is something you do in your present moment by holding the right feelings and intentions.

The Infinity Of Now

All of life is a great unity. Everything in our universe is literally connected. Physical objects, electric currents, liquid compounds, gaseous substances, living organisms, sound waves, and even the phenomenon of thought or consciousness are all different expressions of the same unified source. Everything is one. For thousands of years philosophers and spiritual teachers have spoken about the connectedness of all things. Our intuition when we listen to it tells us that we are all part of the same process, and therefore connected to all other entities and events in existence. And within the past half-century quantum physics has validated this ancient idea through the property of entanglement. At the subatomic level all matter and energy is literally entangled, or connected; so via electrons and other particles/waves everything in the universe is physically connected to everything else. Furthermore, science has discovered the unified field, or superstring field. This infinite ocean of pure, energetic potential is the source of everything that exists, and that which is only imagined. It has been proven scientifically that thought is a measurable energy. Thought arises in waves just as sound and light can be produced and measured via wavelengths. And all matter, whether manifested as solid, liquid, or gas, is also made up of energy waves. Anything you can think of in our physical world, when placed under a microscope, is found to consist of atoms, which are in turn mostly vacuum and waves of subatomic energy (like electrons). Many of us learned in elementary school that atoms, electrons, and other ultra tiny particles were round solids; the analogy of tiny marbles was often used. But scientists now understand that atoms, electrons, and even nuclei are all energetic wavelengths that sometimes manifest as concentrated particles. In summary, the most cutting-edge science our civilization has to offer concurs with our most ancient spiritual texts on the issue of unity. 1. Everything in the universe including thought - is energy. 2. Everything in the universe is connected to everything else.

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3. Everything that is emerges from the same field of source. Take just a moment to reflect on the profundity of this: All that is, has been, and will ever be emerges from a field of pure energy that scientists can detect and measure. Furthermore, we and all else in our universe are energy waves/particles existing in a greater energy field. This is not the stuff of best-selling science fiction or religious optimism. At the time of this writing the ideas above are hard scientific fact! Why am I telling you all this (which you may already know anyway)? My next and final point relies on a basic understanding of the nature of life. This moment is infinity. Now is all we have, and all we will ever have. The present moment extends forever and in all directions, and all things in existence are joined together in this eternal state of right now. As I wrote on page 10 of this very PDF: It took all of universal reality to create the here and now; who are we to move against it? By honoring the now you are quite literally synchronizing your mind with all of creation. To step back from the constant small talk and day dreaming of the conditioned mind is to become one with the flow of life. Living in the moment is the path to true inspiration and the only way to become the amazing person you were born to be. This Moment Is The Beginning Of Everything. Your entire life unfolds from here and absolutely anything is possible. Regardless of the perceived past, you can choose to allow new events, new people, new insights, and a brilliant new awareness into your life right now. What happens from here is completely up to you.

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In Conclusion: Be Happy Now

After reading this e-book I hope you have a deeper understanding of what it means to embrace the present moment. And I hope you can use the simple exercises and insights provided to remain connected with your present moment as a daily pursuit. The 30 + pages you have just read are something Ive wanted to share for a long while now. Many writers and teachers discuss the value of living in the moment, but I feel the depth of the practice is often lost on people. Its such a paramount issue I felt a short ebook was the least I could contribute toward bringing it into focus. Your emotions and bodily signals will guide you from here. Certainly you can refer back to this PDF at any time, but as Im sure you see the idea of living in the now is pretty straightforward. While you are intent on allowing this moment, note your emotional state and any subtle physical sensations; good feelings indicate you are on track, while bad feelings are a sign of needed adjustment. There really cant be a right or wrong way to approach something this spiritual. Everything I have offered is a suggested insight, and its up to you how to proceed. Enlightenment is a word used to describe that sublime point on our journey where we stop asking and simply know. Its an intangible concept in many ways, and its certainly not something another person can bestow upon you. If you take only one thing away from this e-book, let it be this: Right now is your only chance to be truly happy. In this moment you can choose to be as happy as youll ever be, and you can trust life to see to your needs and care for you in every way. This is the true power of right now. Yours in success, John M Adams III Have More Than Enough

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