Last year, I was awarded a full scholarship to embark on Eckhart Tolle’s 4-month online program, <Conscious Manifestation>, to manifest from stillness or presence. Since finishing that program, I’ve realized that while manifestation as a topic is not new, the essence of this course takes us deeper. It teaches us to stay rooted in the stillness within, as we playfully create material things or manifest life situations with a sense of detachment.
At first, being still was very difficult for me. My mind was constantly pulled towards reminiscing the past or worrying about the future, and almost everything felt like a means to an end (especially washing dishes!). It took lots of spiritual study and formal meditation practice to arrive at a state where I’m rooted in present-moment awareness and easily become still. Now, that’s not to say I’m perfectly aware 100% of the time, but I catch my mind drifting off much quicker than before. Living in the present has miraculously made me more content and grateful for what is or what I already have, and while challenges will continue, it’s easier to regulate my emotions once I focus on things within my control.
It’s life-changing as you practice being rooted in the present, but one may ask, what’s the best way to start cultivating present-moment awareness? Do we all need to sit in silence and meditate every day to do so? While I believe formal meditation practice has its benefits, there are other practical, helpful ways to start cultivating this latent power. Allow me to introduce tow simple (yet sometimes challenging!) practices:
Practice #1: Observe Yourself Every Day
The first thing to consider doing is to simply observe how you operate in daily life, particularly through words and actions. Perhaps you may take some time at the end of the day to mentally scan your day by observing the quality of words you used and your overall thought process. Ask yourself, do you tend to focus on what’s wrong? Do you find yourself repeating negative words and thinking more negative thoughts? Do you tend to blame yourself or others for your life situation? Perhaps you also disregard or dismiss the simple, daily joys that you have in your life. Whatever it is, practice observing yourself, and with enough practice, you’ll soon find some deep-rooted patterns that may be perpetuating your current life situation. They key is to bring them to the surface and dissolve them by being aware that at this moment, you’re in better control.
Practice #2: Be Aware of Your Breath
If you’re new to spirituality or even a seasoned meditator, you’ll realize that most spiritual teachers emphasize the power of the breath. Breath, as Eckhart Tolle often says, is the halfway mark between the world of form and the formless. It is there even when we don’t realize it as we carry on with our day, but just shifting our focus to our breath can help ground us in the present moment. No need to worry about what kind of breathwork or breath practices to start with yet; simply take time to feel and observe your natural, rhythmic breath. Slowly feel the air going in and going out, and soon you’ll find yourself breathing a little bit deeper and slower. If you can, take mini breaks throughout the day and just be aware of your breath. The little pause goes a long way, and eventually, it’ll become a habit before you rush to places in a hurry or say something on a whim.
Try to infuse these two practices into your daily life and see what happens. Remember, the journey is what matters, so be kind and gentle with yourself. Even if you fall off the wagon, just don’t give up! Stillness comes with practice, and therein lies no perfection, only pure awareness. I wish you all the best, and I’ll be right here supporting your journey.