Intoxication with the Present Moment

When we want to escape, through drugs, drinking, food, or through other consumption,
​we seek what we have naturally when we focus and are mindful; calmness, tranquility, happiness, lack of feeling negative or doubtful.

“As soon as we wish to be happier, we are no longer happy.” - Walter Landor

The Impermanent Nature of Desires + Cravings

All things are impermanent, including our compulsions and urges. The way we look at our body, how sharp our mind may be, all of our youthfulness and quickness will eventually change. Forests, mountains, oceans, and buildings all will change and become unrecognizable with time. Health, intellect, riches, and ambitions all will eventually deteriorate. Everything in our life can be meditated on with the perspective of impermanence. The objects, status, and wealth we desire is all deceptive. It’s likely not how we imagine it will be, and even if it is, it’s fleeting, especially compared to the richness of the experiences and sensations here in the present moment. There is joy here, in the present moment. We are in a self-imposed prison if we cannot be present because we’re suffering in a state of darkness, sorrow, anxiety, or discontent. We miss the meaningful moments in life when we allow ourselves to feel incomplete, small, or view ourself in an otherwise narrow perspective. When we remove the limits we have placed around our perspective so that we may see all the life and wonder around us, we can see that in this moment, there is goodness. There is happiness. There is energy. The deterioration of objects, status, money, or organic matter cannot touch the energy of now, because the energy of now just is. 

Each of us has attachments, desires, and cravings. We believe that we cannot be happy without obtaining these things. We chase after feelings, substances, riches, status. We chase after things that may not be how we actually imagine them and that may actually add more suffering to our life. Let us look deeply into the objects we desire, to see them clearly for what they are. They’re illusions. We have everything we need to be happy now, in this moment. If we look deeply into the objects we desire, we can see that chasing after them does not increase our wellbeing. When we are chasing something, we are not fulfilled. We can feel complete, right now, if we allow ourselves to. If we think that life has no meaning or we cannot be happy until we have whatever we desire, we are not allowing ourselves to be happy in this moment. If we can detach from our craving, we can find contentment and meaning wherever we are, right now.

What do you think? Do you think we need to seek after things in the future to be well?
​Are there elements for happiness available in the here and now? If there are, why are we not enjoying them?

Deepen Your Understanding: Impermanence described the temporary nature of all things. Contemplating impermanence can help us cope with change, loss, and inspire appreciation for the present moment.

Impermanence

Acknowledge Everyday Abundance

Social media, advertisements, and cultural beliefs can make us feel discontent. The general promoted message is one of productivity and consumerism, where we need to do more and have more to feel acceptable. The pressure from these sources is intense! It can be difficult to feel fulfilled in who we are and what we do. Are we enough? Is what we have enough? The never-ending chase towards something new, bigger, better will only leave us blind to the abundance of what we have now, in this moment. When we’re caught up in addictive and superficial pursuits, we neglect the precious people, moments, and experiences available to us when we look for things to appreciate in our present moment. What joy we can find in inspiring natural scenery, relaxing hot showers, our comfy bed, the food that nourishes our wellbeing, and all the many beings that cooperate every day to support our daily experiences. When we look deeply, we can extend gratitude to those that planted, watered, picked, processed, and transported our foods and products. The simple things we take for granted each day take immense energy from many different beings, our planet, and the whole solar system! We practice bringing our awareness back to the subtle things in the here and now by breathing mindfully and using our senses to enjoy the abundance that’s always there.

​True success is feeling happy and alive. By practicing gratitude for what we have in this moment, we can cultivate joy, connectivity, and satisfaction.

Mindful Breathing for Cravings

We know our mindfulness practice is working when we can acknowledge and spend time experiencing our cravings without surrendering to the impulse to give into them. When we dedicate some time each day to sitting meditation, we can cultivate strength and perseverance. During our sit, we focus on the sensations of breathing in and breathing out. Mindful breathing has incredible benefits! We can improve our immunity, increase our concentration, reduce our anxiety, and even decrease our physical pain with mindful breathing.

Breathing in, here
Breathing out, now

The present moment is safe. We haven’t yet acted on our impulse.
​We can stay here in the present, doing nothing other than counting our breaths, breathing in 1-2-3-4 and breathing out 1-2-3-4-5. We can enjoy this time because we are nourishing our body and mind.

When we feel ready, we can visualize what it would look and feel like to accomplish our priorities without caving to our lust, impatience, or discomfort. We can observe our feelings without acting on them. If your feelings still feel too strong to resist, return your attention to your breathing.

Mindful Breathing

Healthy ways to have fun

Overcoming Anxiety

Overwhelming Emotions