THE POWER OF NOW

POWER OF NOW

Each week as I live my life, and pursue fulfillment for my higher self I learn many amazing lessons. Some of these lessons I learn from family, friends, some experiences, and some I learn from the most amazing homeless people I have ever met. That's right, homeless people. How is it that many of the homeless have a better understanding of life, and it's true meaning than those people who "have it all."

These are the people that realize (Not exactly by their own choosing) that the materialistic things do NOT matter. Once you don't focus on materialism you are left with the small things that mean the most. Life humble's these people. They gain a better knowledge and understanding of life. Don't you see how appreciative they are for 50 cents. To us it nothing more than change. To them it's hope. Now obviously they have issues as well beings they are homeless, but they get life more than most of us do... how ironic.

Let me begin this post by starting with how important it is to be there to support all of your brothers and sisters. I have gained an understanding that just the daily human connection helps me thrive. I am grateful for every stranger that picks up a glove I dropped or opens a door for me. We must connect on a sibling level, offer them your presence and your soul in that moment. Just a smile, unlocks the doors. Below are some of my favorite quotes about this subject by other legendary students of God.

"Every-time you smile at someone, it is an action of love. A gift to that person. It is a beautiful thing."

-Mother Teresa


"The greatest gift you can offer someone, in the moment; is your full presence. How can you love someone if you are not there?" -Thich Nhat Hanh

Just this past week I was at church during a mass service. There was a woman dressed rather promiscuously sitting in the pew in front of me, she looked down and out on her luck and seemed rather hopeless. There she sat, in front of me. Barely dressed, rosary around her neck, face buried in her hands, weeping. I could not help but notice and feel for her. I was curious as to see... in a room FULL of "Christians" who will turn to this woman and offer their love and support as a fellow spirit. The total count by the end of mass... zero. Now, this is what I mean when I said in my previous post that we must do.

God's work here on earth, we cannot wait for God to come down himself. We are his messengers here on earth his "help."

Beings we are made BY GOD, We are made through God's hands. Therefore we are a product of God. Given Godly abilities, made in "God's image." If you want to get technical WE ARE GOD. At least a portion of him dumped into this vessel we call the human body. We are just as much as God as the clouds, stars, and snow... As respected renown priest, author, and philanthropist Richard Rohr states.


"God is not as much a being, but rather the grounding of being itself..."


"For we are all God's masterpiece. He has created us anew Christ Jesus. So we can do the good things, he planned for us long ago..." -Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Everyone in that church looked at her, but nobody offered their love, or presence to this woman. I feel it is just as much a sin if you see something, and do not do anything about it..." The entire mass I wanted to go over to her, at the end of the service she glanced over at me. As me and my friend recently discussed this could be God sitting there in front of us, testing us. But do not let that be the reason you reach out. Be there for others the way you would want others to be there for you. I knew I had to at least make sure she was okay. Just by giving someone your compassion, attention, and presence can illuminate their soul. This is God's work at play. I just asked her if she was okay, she said she was fine. I smiled to her and asked her if I could have a hug. We embraced, and for that moment our spirits came together as equals. 

"True happiness, is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose..." 

 -Helen Keller

On my way out of the church, I noticed a statue of a cloaked man sitting on the side of the street resembling a homeless man. Above it a plaque with a bible scripture stating

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." - Matthew 25:40


"The greatest gift you can offer someone, in the moment; is your full presence. How can you love someone if you are not there?" -Thich Nhat Hanh

Now would this event, statue, and choice to choose this church that I was attending for the first time, on this day, to be there for this person, all be merely coincidence? The fact is I was paying attention. I was able to pick up all of the verification that God was with me, by paying attention to the moment.

We don't know the reason for everything, but that's the amazing part!!! There is still so much learning we have yet to do!!!

“People who’ve had any genuine spiritual experience always know that they don’t know. They are utterly humbled standing in awe before the mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love, which is incomprehensible to the mind.”
― Richard Rohr


This is where I get into the lesson of the POWER OF NOW.


Many people are often cluttering their mind with worry, the stresses of what they must do in the future, obsessing about the past. NOT FOCUSING ON NOW. Each moment of every day is nothing more than moments of NOW, the PRESENT. 

The past and the future are nothing more than past and future NOWS.

If we take each day moment by moment and appreciate each moment for what they are.

World renown author of the book "The Power of Now" Eckhart Tolle explains this very well in his book. A book that has helped transform my life...

“...the past gives you an identity and the future holds the promise of salvation, of fulfillment in whatever form. Both are illusions.” -Eckhart Tolle

Many people are able to get into this space through mediation, there are even small exercises to begin practicing living in the moment of NOW. You can enjoy to focus on small things such as; the stillness in the shower, focus on the warm water hitting your body, the moment, and peace you feel. The more you open your mind, let go of the past, let go of your suffering and realize all of the greatness that lies in front of you, as well as within you.

"People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar." -Thich Nhat Hanh

"I have arrived. I am home. My destination is each step." -Thich Nhat Hanh

For those of you who do not know who Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Monk, who took part in bringing forth the peace and equality movement with Martin Luther King Jr. This man is amazing, and we can each take lessons from every word of wisdom uttered from this man's mouth.

Since letting go of the past, and cease to focus on the future I find myself focusing, as well as enjoying the now. Each moment. Each experience. Each soul that touches upon me at every moment imprints me and leaves nothing but sweet reminisce about the experience we shared together in the moment. Enjoying the power of NOW.

Until next time.
NAMASTE
#STAYWOKE


I advise anyone who is on a similar path to seeking their true spirit, and enlightenment to read "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle link to a downloadable pdf posted below.


http://www.mindwell.be/ebooks/thepowerofnow.pdf