Forcing Presence vs. Allowing Presence

We’re going to do two quick exercises. Instead of me telling you what the answers are, I’m going to encourage you to experience your own Truth for yourself.

In Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now, he discusses the importance of Presence, of being fully in this moment.

Being fully in this moment is a very powerful experience because it sidesteps the ego itself. Now, there’s a subtle trick that can happen as the ego tries to sneak in the back door. It will try to “do” Presence. It will try to take credit for being the individual who is Present. It will say that “I” am being Present.

Let’s look at the ego-based way of being Present and compare it to the experience of the non-ego way of being Present. The differences may be subtle, but they are very important.

Doing Presence

Pay attention to your breath as it goes in and out of the body. Notice what your 5 senses are detecting. Take note of the room you’re in. Consciously be totally in this moment and feel your world. If the mind starts blabbering away, bring your attention back to the sensations of the body and feel this moment.

This will probably feel very good, especially after doing it for a little while.

Now, as you are being present, notice if you feel like an individual being. Can you detect the boundaries between your body and the room? Does it feel like you are being conscious of other objects and sensations in the room?

Just honestly note your experience in doing the activity called Presence.

Allowing Presence to Be Present

Now we’re going to put in even less effort. Instead of trying to do Presence, I want you to just stop doing altogether. Just completely stop.

Notice the sense of Presence that is sitting underneath the action. Is it already there? Allow the Presence to be without trying to do anything with it or magnify it in any way.

Allow the sense of awareness to be aware on its own.

Allow this experience to be for a little while.

Then take note of if you feel a sense of localization. Do you feel any boundaries between your body and the area surrounding your body? There is no right or wrong answer. Just trust your feelings.

Compare and Contrast

How does the sense of being compare to the first exercise in which you were actively doing Presence?

If you’re having trouble remembering, feel free to bounce back and forth between the two exercises. Repeat as necessary.

Find out if each exercise feels more like there’s a separate self doing something or if there’s just infinite beingness being.

Your own experiences will be your most powerful teacher. Find out how the differences feel between deliberately doing Presence and allowing Presence to be.

Let me know. I’m very curious as to your experiences.

Namaste.

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