This blog of photos and thoughts is written to inspire people towards contemplation and presence. I have found the practice of presence to be life transforming and enriching. The cool thing is that practicing presence can be fun! I look forward to my rituals and they are not burdensome. Below, I have listed seven ways that I have developed the practice of presence over a course of years. These are things that have worked for me. You will find your own ways, and I’d love to hear about them.
PRACTICING PRESENCE
- Loving an Animal. I have long loved my animal friends. I notice that when I am stroking my dog, cat, horse, or goat, I begin to relax and sink into my body
and into the moment. Animals have been my first and long time gurus. - Bird Watching. I started watching birds about a decade ago. Almost immediately I noticed that my mind begins to slow down when my focus is on the birds, and I come more fully into the present. The birds became my mentors, preparing me for deeper practice.
- Walks in Nature. Bird watching led to long and regular walks in the woods. There I could watch all kinds of critters. I fell in love with the moss, bark, and fungi. I fell in love with the turkey, deer, rabbits, and raccoons. I learned to see beauty in things that I had never noticed before. Calmness comes over me and my mind relaxes.
- Reading Poetry/Spiritual Writings. Gradually, I started seeking ways to bring these calming practices into my home. My partner and I started reading poetry and spiritual writings aloud together, and I found that I was having the same experiences I had while in nature and with my pets.
- Meditation. Throughout the years I had tried on and off to meditate but without success. It was only after years of practicing steps 1-4 that I was finally able to calm down enough to actually sit in meditation. While it was a long time coming, it has proven to be invaluable to my well-being.
- Mindful Exercise (Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, etc.). I started doing a morning routine of yoga simply to help me be able to sit in meditation comfortably. I was having pain while sitting so I made an appointment with a yoga therapist asking for help. As I began practicing yoga I realized that it, too, lends itself towards calming my mind and bringing me more fully into the present.
- Daily Rituals. Eventually, I began to see how practicing these tips on a daily basis could be helpful. I now have a morning routine that begins with yoga, moves to meditation, and ends with reading aloud with my partner. I also try to make time everyday to be outside in nature.
These practices have become sustaining and vital for me. Of course there are days that I falter, but I am quickly reminded of the value of these practices by the agitation I feel if I go too long without them.
Do you have any tips to share for practicing presence? I would love to hear. Just scroll down the page to the comment section and leave a few ideas of your own. And if you enjoyed this post, please consider giving me a shout out through the Share This button below.
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