No, not that kind of present.
I’ve talked a little already this fall about my efforts to be present. Having been all over the place all summer (13 airports, 10 trips, 6 Cities, in 4 1/2 months), I’ve focused extensively on connections with other people, outward exploration, always looking ahead to the next plan.
With my decision to start (and rock! and complete!) Core Power Yoga’s Teacher Training Program by mid-November, I also made the commitment to stay home. To be here, to root myself firmly in Minneapolis for no less than eight solid weeks, and to turn my focus a little more inward.
Where am I going? Who am I becoming? What do I need to incorporate into my life to succeed at this?
(Those answers, in case you’re wondering are: cool places; someone I’m really kind of proud of; discipline, focus, and practice).
Throughout each class, our instructors frequently come back to the question:
“What is present for you?”
They elaborate:
“What is present in your homework, this posture, this conversation?”
Kind of the yogi way of asking, “So how does that make you feeeel,” right?
Well, what’s present for me is that I’m having a tough time BEING present. Finding that stillness. I’m a moving person. I prefer being busy to being bored and work better under deadline because I can cross things off and move forward. I’m addicted to travel because I love the rush of exploring some place new, of rekindling existing friendships and discovering new ones. New and challenging things excite me.
What is extremely challenging is the idea of just STOPPING. Letting myself just be physically HERE in Minnesota, and I’ve really found it’s something I’m working towards rather than something I can just do. Bringing it back to the asana practice, this same idea is true for certain postures for me; my hips aren’t square to the mirror, but the energy in my body is working towards that position. I guess the energy in my mind is working towards the notion of just being, rather than always anticipating.
What’s present for me is that I have yet to find what ‘present’ truly means.
One of my all-time favorite quotes, for many, many years has been:
Wherever you are, be all there.
~ Jim Elliot
Seems simple enough right? Nope, not so. I’ve always remembered it because I’ve always had to REMIND myself to be ALL there, rather than half here and half five minutes from now. Half in the present, and half planning tomorrow.
It’s drilling home more and more now as I continue to find even more new hobbies, ideas, ambitions and lose sight of what ‘present’ is for me.
It took a weekend four hours away from home for me to cool my jets (literally) and pause long enough to read a freaking book.
Present. Stillness. NOT planning my next step.
I thought my biggest personal goal through this teacher training would be Bakasana (crow pose), but really? This “be present” thing is trickier than it sounds.
Even now, I’m writing tomorrow’s task list in my head and thinking forward to the weekend (even though both have me happily anticipating a local event and a yoga workshop with Simon Park).
The idea of shutting off for even FIVE minutes for myself right now stresses me out slightly because there are THINGS I could ACCOMPLISH in those five minutes.
Right?
Presence. Stillness. Pause. Breath.
How do YOU do it?
I'm Doniree. I live in Portland, Oregon where I practice yoga, obsess about the local farmers' markets and vineyards, and work from home or one of my many favorite coffee shops. I also 
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You do need to find your 'present' (aka, CHILL).
But:1. Don't think about it.2. Don't worry about it.If you are looking for something to do to stay busy join a bowling league or broom-ball team.Tell yourself to spend just one hour a day/night reading a book; give yourself a 2-week window. Take a week off and then do it again. I'm always amazed that VPs, CEO's, Politicians find time to read several books a month even with their very busy schedules. They MAKE time for themselves, so they don't go nuts and get burned out.Take it from your [wonderful] parents and spend time Kitchen Dancing. 
I struggled with this for so many years (and still do on and off). I volunteered (and traveled), I worked (and traveled) and then traveled just for fun. By car, by plane, by train…I was always moving. I was always looking for the next best thing.Then I lost my job. Something clicked. All of the sudden had more time on my hands. I could delve into hobbies that I could only scratch the surface layer of. I started to realize what was important and what could be skipped.Even before the job loss, things were starting to change a bit and life was starting to fall into place. So, I'm not sure if it's an age thing, a life experience thing, or what it is, but you'll get there. You'll start to focus on the things you truly love…the things that give you energy, not drain your energy.Good luck!
You just lost your second of those three. And maybe your 'favorite' status.(For now at least)
Were you present for the game last night? I was.
Based on our recent conversations, you know I love this post. One way for me to be present is to focus on one thing at a time. In this day and age we become so adept at multi-tasking, which in and of itself is only giving partial attention to a bunch of things all at once. For example, I leave my phone on silent and put it in my purse. I don't turn on my laptop. I leave the TV off. And I read. It allows me to be in the moment of reading. Not half in the book and half into what's on TV. Or half looking at my phone to see when it lights up to let me know I have a new message. One step at a time. Hope you find your presence!
You do need to find your 'present' (aka, CHILL).
But:1. Don't think about it.2. Don't worry about it.If you are looking for something to do to stay busy join a bowling league or broom-ball team.Tell yourself to spend just one hour a day/night reading a book; give yourself a 2-week window. Take a week off and then do it again. I'm always amazed that VPs, CEO's, Politicians find time to read several books a month even with their very busy schedules. They MAKE time for themselves, so they don't go nuts and get burned out.Take it from your [wonderful] parents and spend time Kitchen Dancing. 
I struggle with this too, and all I can say is that it's easier when you're in a comfortable moment- I tend to use "non-presence" as an escape when I don't feel secure in a situation- but it still takes constant effort for me.
I have a hard time being where I am. A writer I adore, Anne Lamott, always says, "Be where your butt is" and I so struggle with that—always looking ahead, moving forward, next step, checking something off of my list. I wish I had an easy solution or suggestion for you, but honestly? Still figuring that out. I try and focus just on the day ahead, not on anything further than that. If you have tips, I'd listen eagerly
I struggled with this for so many years (and still do on and off). I volunteered (and traveled), I worked (and traveled) and then traveled just for fun. By car, by plane, by train…I was always moving. I was always looking for the next best thing.Then I lost my job. Something clicked. All of the sudden had more time on my hands. I could delve into hobbies that I could only scratch the surface layer of. I started to realize what was important and what could be skipped.Even before the job loss, things were starting to change a bit and life was starting to fall into place. So, I'm not sure if it's an age thing, a life experience thing, or what it is, but you'll get there. You'll start to focus on the things you truly love…the things that give you energy, not drain your energy.Good luck!
You just lost your second of those three. And maybe your 'favorite' status.(For now at least)
Based on our recent conversations, you know I love this post. One way for me to be present is to focus on one thing at a time. In this day and age we become so adept at multi-tasking, which in and of itself is only giving partial attention to a bunch of things all at once. For example, I leave my phone on silent and put it in my purse. I don't turn on my laptop. I leave the TV off. And I read. It allows me to be in the moment of reading. Not half in the book and half into what's on TV. Or half looking at my phone to see when it lights up to let me know I have a new message. One step at a time. Hope you find your presence!
YES! Good friends like YOU.
I'm not super amazing at being present either. I also look ahead, like to stay busy. Something has changed in the last few weeks though, not sure what, but I'm learning to enjoy the various things that I'm doing or that happen to me during the day. I'm taking it slowly, working on one thing before moving to the next (not to say I don't multitask, but I've become less hurried in my multitasking). I make my mind up to do things randomly and sporadically. Example: last night, I decided on a whim (and an odd one it was) to mow the lawn. Why? I don't know, it just seemed like the right thing. On Monday? I made dinner for my parents, just because I needed to cook (sometimes i need the quiet of a kitchen, the focus of a recipe, the goal of yummy food). I've learned to go with the flow more lately for whatever odd reason and it's really helped me to be a tad more in the now. It's odd. It's different. But it's good. (And I will be honest and say there are times where if I have nothing to do I feel like I should be doing something and I freak out and scramble and do stuff. My planner is 99% of the time packed full with stuff! I'm just learning how to worry about it when I get to it, I guess. Lord knows it ain't easy.)
I struggle with this too, and all I can say is that it's easier when you're in a comfortable moment- I tend to use "non-presence" as an escape when I don't feel secure in a situation- but it still takes constant effort for me.
Were you present for the game last night? I was.
I love this, it's such a compelling thing to just focus on the now.You are totally bringing my childhood back to me, I was raised (by my mom) around satsang & yoga, and eating home made Indian food in the basement of our local Hindu temple.Every now and then I wonder what I would be like if my mom hadn't taught me how to meditate, or how I would handle stress if it wasn't built into me to stay calm and breathe. But mostly it makes me want indian food
I'm not super amazing at being present either. I also look ahead, like to stay busy. Something has changed in the last few weeks though, not sure what, but I'm learning to enjoy the various things that I'm doing or that happen to me during the day. I'm taking it slowly, working on one thing before moving to the next (not to say I don't multitask, but I've become less hurried in my multitasking). I make my mind up to do things randomly and sporadically. Example: last night, I decided on a whim (and an odd one it was) to mow the lawn. Why? I don't know, it just seemed like the right thing. On Monday? I made dinner for my parents, just because I needed to cook (sometimes i need the quiet of a kitchen, the focus of a recipe, the goal of yummy food). I've learned to go with the flow more lately for whatever odd reason and it's really helped me to be a tad more in the now. It's odd. It's different. But it's good. (And I will be honest and say there are times where if I have nothing to do I feel like I should be doing something and I freak out and scramble and do stuff. My planner is 99% of the time packed full with stuff! I'm just learning how to worry about it when I get to it, I guess. Lord knows it ain't easy.)
That's why it's important to have great friends to keep you grounded.
There's nothing wrong about look to the future as long as you don't dwell in it. Enjoy your surrounds, the people you're with and the situation your in. Make every moment you experience the best lest you look back in regret or look forward and forget what you're doing now.
I am so with you on this one! I've been really trying to make myself be "present" while at work. I find that if I am mindful of what I'm doing, I can do it faster and better.. therefore saving myself time in the long run. Now if only I could maintain my presence in class. My mind always wanders too much while I'm in there.
i'm actually done traveling for the year too and it's kind of nice.
This is definitely something I struggle with as well! I find that if I don't have something to look forward to (travel, parties, friends visits, etc) I get SO bored! Right now I am looking forward to next weekend b/c we are traveling to IA for the ISU homecoming game. But really, I should just be PRESENT like you said. That is SO hard to do though!
I've never had Indian food. And I'd like to learn more about meditation.And I love that I can hear the inflection of your voice when I hear fromyou.
I love this, it's such a compelling thing to just focus on the now.
You are totally bringing my childhood back to me, I was raised (by my mom) around satsang & yoga, and eating home made Indian food in the basement of our local Hindu temple.
Every now and then I wonder what I would be like if my mom hadn't taught me how to meditate, or how I would handle stress if it wasn't built into me to stay calm and breathe.
But mostly it makes me want indian food
YES! Good friends like YOU.
There's nothing wrong about look to the future as long as you don't dwell in it. Enjoy your surrounds, the people you're with and the situation your in. Make every moment you experience the best lest you look back in regret or look forward and forget what you're doing now.
I am so with you on this one! I've been really trying to make myself be “present” while at work. I find that if I am mindful of what I'm doing, I can do it faster and better.. therefore saving myself time in the long run.
Now if only I could maintain my presence in class. My mind always wanders too much while I'm in there.
i'm actually done traveling for the year too and it's kind of nice.
This is definitely something I struggle with as well! I find that if I don't have something to look forward to (travel, parties, friends visits, etc) I get SO bored! Right now I am looking forward to next weekend b/c we are traveling to IA for the ISU homecoming game. But really, I should just be PRESENT like you said. That is SO hard to do though!
I've never had Indian food. And I'd like to learn more about meditation.
And I love that I can hear the inflection of your voice when I hear from
you.
I sometimes have issues being present, too, but for different reasons. Because the present for me is sometimes boring and/or painful. And because the future is so shiny and pretty and exciting.I try to keep myself grounded in the moment by remembering to TAKE IN every experience, good or bad. To enjoy it, if I can. And to learn something from it.I'm so proud of you for doing this yoga training course! Come to my town and teach me when you're done!
I sometimes have issues being present, too, but for different reasons. Because the present for me is sometimes boring and/or painful. And because the future is so shiny and pretty and exciting.
I try to keep myself grounded in the moment by remembering to TAKE IN every experience, good or bad. To enjoy it, if I can. And to learn something from it.
I'm so proud of you for doing this yoga training course! Come to my town and teach me when you're done!
Maybe if you're trajectory oriented, you need to build up to the present moment? Like, plan out a time, place, situation in which you WILL pay attention to the present? It works for me when I'm planning breaks for all-nighters: 2 hours of work, 10 minutes of break, repeat.Well, maybe I have an unfair advantage as a cigarette smoker. That always helps me concentrate.
Maybe if you're trajectory oriented, you need to build up to the present moment? Like, plan out a time, place, situation in which you WILL pay attention to the present? It works for me when I'm planning breaks for all-nighters: 2 hours of work, 10 minutes of break, repeat.Well, maybe I have an unfair advantage as a cigarette smoker. That always helps me concentrate.
EXACTLY. See my comment to the last post? THIS IS WHAT I MEAN. I can't slow down because in my head all these thoughts of "You should be studying. You could be making this or that. You should do something." invade me!
EXACTLY. See my comment to the last post? THIS IS WHAT I MEAN. I can't slow down because in my head all these thoughts of “You should be studying. You could be making this or that. You should do something.” invade me!