Yabba Dabba Doo

Paul and Harry both picked up on my reference in the last post to "living in the moment": actually focussing on what we're doing at the present time, instead of being lost - as we so often are - in idle thoughts of the past or the future. Except that I was playing devil's advocate and had it the other way round. So the idea is that if you're playing The Flintstones on your iPod shuffle, which you have crammed to bursting point with Hanna Barbera theme tunes (as you might do - if you were my osteopath)  then you'd focus on the Yabba Dabba Doo of the present moment , instead of indulging in idle speculation about whether Top Cat or Yogi Bear is coming up next.

Paul mentioned the difficulty of holding onto this. I find a good way is to connect with one of the senses. If you're listening to music, you can focus on what you're hearing, but if you're simply walking along, you can rub your hands together and feel your skin or - and here caution is advised depending on where you are - sniff whatever scents may be on the air. This has a way of bringing you into the here and now, of making you aware of your body and your surroundings. This has two advantages:

1. You're less likely to get run down by a truck as you cross the road, and
2. Your experience takes on a whole different quality. As Paul put it: "Suddenly, you're filled with the sheer wonderment of being where and when you are." (That's Paul who left the comment, I mean, not St Paul. I like to get these things clear.)

If there's anyone reading who's never tried this, give it a go and let me know how you feel. And then, if you find your mind's wandered or you've slipped into thinking about having the experience instead of actually having the experience, don't beat yourself up. Just connect with one of your senses again.

The best writer I know on "being in the moment" is Eckhart Tolle. His classic book is The Power of Now, but the one I've read is the shorter Practising The Power of Now, which concentrates more on putting it into practice.

Comments

[babenbelgium]

I'm going to tell you a little secret about my finding or stumbling upon Eckhart Tolle's "Power of Now". I haven't read a non-fiction book in years. When I walk into a bookstore or library, my first instinct is to head for the fiction book section, preferably Mystery or Science Fiction (Dune Series), else it's going to be some type of cooking magazine, or one of those girly girl type magazines. Anything except non-fiction, especially self-help books and really especially inspirational books!

I've signed up on-line to one of these pricey get-to-know someone type of websites and two of my so-called matches are fellas that live in different countries, but one thing they have in common is that they are both reading Eckhardt Tolle's "Power of Now"! I thought to myself, "Maybe these guys know something I don't know and maybe this book can help me put my life back on track".

Today I was driving to get gas and it just hit me, that right now, at this moment, I love where I'm living, I'm fortunate to have the friends I have, and I'm just loving life right now. I'm just wondering how I'm not going to loose these feelings.

Maybe there are answers in Eckhart's book and I just haven't gotten there yet.

[Pines]

I read a book way back when..it was called "Be Here Now", couldn't tell you the author. But it stuck in mind all these years.

I just realized I am reading old posts, but I don't care. This site is awesome and I want to read it all!!!

[Secret Simon]

Welcome to the site, Pines - you really do say the nicest things! I just looked up "Be Here Now" and it's by Ram Dass - I have a wonderful breathing meditation of his. It doesn't seem to be available now or I would have recommended it here already.

Do check out one of those Eckhart Tolle books if you get the chance. I'm always going on about them - they're amongst the most powerful tools for spiritual development (aka living a happier life) that I know.