The Present Moment

 "The most important, the primordial relationship in your life is your relationship with the Now, or rather with whatever form the Now takes, that is to say, what is or what happens. If your relationship with the Now is dysfunctional, that dysfunction will be reflected in every relationship and every situation you encounter. The ego could be defined simply this way: a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment. It is at this moment that you can decide what kind of relationship you want to have with the present moment."  -A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle 

This is so good. When I read this paragraph on page 200-201, it hit hard. I am constantly noticing how I am unnecessarily rushing through most of my life. Most of my day entails tasks I don't particularly enjoy doing, so I try to finish as fast as possible. But for what? Because then I just end up right where I started: doing another task I don't want to be doing. Ludicrous!

This is most likely because I am in my mind instead of being in my body and in the present moment. My breathing is fast and shallow and I am disconnected from the electricity surging through my inner body. I am overlooking the most holy of things, and instead am looking to outer forms to make me happy. And they never will.

So, I try to slow down when I put away the dishes, cook dinner, roast coffee, walk, etc, etc, etc. You get the point. Trying to slow down every moment of every day. This is obviously a lifelong process. Not a quick fix or 30 day empty promise.

I recently heard Chris Bale speak to how most men rush through every moment of their life, and he said something about men living their lives in premature ejaculation. Always trying to rush, never slowing down to be in the Now. 

"The ego could be defined simply this way: a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment. It is at this moment that you can decide what kind of relationship you want to have with the present moment." I want to have a more functional/healthy relationship with the present moment. My ego/mind loves to try rushing me through my day. Giving up caffeine has helped. Caffeine always made everything feel urgent. I feel more at peace without it. 

Who's with me on this? Peace. Love. Presence. Signing off...for now.