Its 2009: Be Here Now!

Today is a very special day. It has never happened before and it will never happen again. And you have no idea what will come next!

No matter how hard we want to, there is one thing we can never do and that is change the past. We can weep, beat our fists against the wall, eat bags of cookies to assuage the guilt, but it won't make the slightest bit of difference and won't make us feel any better. The past is gone, over, it is nothing more than a memory.

Continuing to wish that our actions or words had been different means we are really not here in the present, we are living in what-could-have-been or what-might-have-been or if-only land. If the past is too painful or even too boring then we switch over to the future, that place of infinite potential that we want to believe could be real, like wishful thinking or a daydream. We live in what-might-be or what-could-be land.

Of course we can learn from the past. Often the most painful experience turns out to be our best teacher; we can even feel gratitude for the experience as it taught us so much. And memories can be like comfortable old shoes we are reluctant to part with. We can certainly put them on now and then, but we do not have to hang out there on a permanent basis. As a teacher of ours once said, Man's memory s a fool's paradise.

Instead we can change our attitude toward what happened. Fully accepting that the past is irreversible and the future does not exist means we can actually be in the present moment. What a relief! Finally we can just be here, really experiencing this reality, just as it is.

Someone once quite excitedly and enthusiastically asked Ed if he had ever experienced another dimension. Ed replied, Have you ever experienced this one? Do you ever stop to experience the smell of wild flowers, rain drops on a spiders web, or the rhythm of your own heartbeat?

What a great day this is to just be here now! The perfect day to let the past rest where it is and let the future take care of itself. As is every day. To experience just this moment, to pay attention to the colors, sounds, smells and sensations. To pay attention to your feelings, to other people's feelings. And to make this day, this week, this month, and this year, one of beauty and tenderness.

So what do you feel that the past may have taught you? What does being in the present mean to you? Let us hear from you so you can share your story with others.

Happy New Year 2009!

***

Ed and Deb Shapiro are authors of over 15 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. Deb is the author of the award-winning book Your Body Speaks Your Mind. They are corporate consultants, and the creators of Chillout daily inspirational text messages on Sprint cell phones. See their website: www.EdandDebShapiro.com.

Comments

[gabrielmoss]

i once thought that being in the present meant abandoning the wisdom form the past and the awareness gained by surveying the future. but i came to learn that when we are seated firmly in the present we can more easily flow with our wisdom and intuition. in the present, we can also observe the possible future with greater clarity and perspective.

another note about the present. from what i now understand, the present doesn't just mean in this moment in time. the present also means in this place in space. we can easily come into the present moment and still send out intentions, conscious or unconscious, to chance other people. when we intend to make other people do something they may not want to do, a piece of ourselves breaks off and is lost in an attempt to control them. being truly in the present is recognizing and releasing our attempts at manipulation, leaking our energy and vitality.

i'm curious to hear what Ed and Deb think about this perspective.

thanks for the post - Gabriel

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi gabrielmoss, I enjoyed your comment.
When someone is truly or genuinely present in truth there is not a separate self. There is no you and me. There is just presence, awareness. Therefore there is no manipulation.

Your being is compassionate. The only wish is that all people are free from suffering and are happy.

That is my understanding,

Joyfully,
Ed

[AndiG]

I like to take all those past issues/experiences and send them into the ethers to dissipate into
LOVE & HARMONY...poof! They're gone!
I hear the words of a very wise teacher of mine... "DO YOUR BEST...FORGET THE REST"...

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

AndiG- that is a very wise statement. It really takes the anxiety out of things. Great simple wisdom. I can breathe when I say those words. "I think of it as, "Do your best and leave the rest." It's like easing in and easing out. It's like a dance.

I was a NYC dance champion and professional dancer in my early days and life to me is a dance.

Joyfully,

Ed

[GlennisGita]

What a great reminder for the New Year! You two Rock!
Blessings to you and all your readers in this new Year!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

GlennisGita- your magazine the GUIDE To Health & Healing is spot on. You have done articles on Deb and me and they were brilliantly done.

Great to hear from you,

Happy 2009,

Ed

[Lizzypie]

Thanks for pithy & succinct blog on that great cornerstone of the Buddhist teachings -IMPERMANCENCE. I am reminded of a saying I once heard : "If you have one foot in the past, and one foot in the future, you are pissing on the present"!!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Lizzypie that is profound.

It's one of those sayings you don't forget that contains wisdom and humour.

You comment makes me laugh and I have a Cheshire cat smile on my face.

Joyfully,

Ed

[yoginilizzi]

Happy New Year and
may we all experience this dimension
through being present in the moment!

My other prayer is that each of realize
the power and impact of our presence.

One more-
May peace prevail on Earth

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

yogilizzi your book PARTNER YOGA is an example of that.

It must be quite a wonder to perfect the art of Partner Yoga as it takes 2 people doing yoga as one. It takes aware to be in harmony and presence. And from the photos it is awesome.

Yoga is presence,

Ed

[livinlife]

Beautiful! As you have said before, practice meditation to help you be here now.
Happy New Year to both of you. Keep on writing.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

livinlife- It seems like you have be practicing what you preach. Your great name, 'livinlife' makes it sound like you are doin somethin right.

May all things go well for you Have a great 2009

Ed

[ken108]

PS. I Love You, Happy New Year

[ken108]

Happy New Year Ed and Deb and friends,

“Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going” Tennessee Williams

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

What about the one that says, "I Love You?'

Big Love, Big Heart, Big Hugs,

Ed

[soundheals]

Dear Deb & Ed:

To you and all your wonderful readers, I wish you a most extraordinary New Year!

Every day--each moment--is a precious commodity to be appreciated and treasured.

IT'S GOING TO BE FINE
IN 2009!

Blessings of Love & Light through Sound!

Jonathan

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Soundheals

I know your cd that you produced TIBETAN MASTER CHANTS was nominated for a Grammy and your cd's are respected internationally. I hope that you continue to create sounds that will lift people and help make 2009 a special year.

Thanks for your comment,

Ed

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Ed and Deb,

Thanks for this poignant reminder that life is now and that's all there is. And thank you for your consistently cogent writing and being a stand for compassion and decency.

I appreciate your generosity in support of this blogging community. You're always right there!

Many blessings your way. All is divine in 09!
Judith Rich

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks Judith, It's great that we are all in this together.

Keep shining, loving and caring,

Ed

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for bringing this forward today. I agree that so many of us don't take the time to be really present, which is always relevant and particularly relevant during significant transitions like the turning of the year.

I was in and out of deep meditation for a large part of the evening on 12/31. However, as the '09 came in I was out celebrating with friends. Right as the clock struck 12 with a glass of champagne in my hand I stood with my eyes closed and in silence amidst the chaos around me allowing myself to be fully present and acknowledge moving from '08-'09. AND two people were concerned about me and asked if I was ok, which I found quite amusing.

I love Ed's response to the question "have you ever experienced another dimension." If it is okay, I will probably use it.

Have a blessed '09

Jason

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Jason- It sounds like you brought the New Year in with fun.

I don't usually drink but I had a glass of champagne too.

You are welcome to quote me anytime. As long as I can quote you.

Big Love,

Ed

[AnthonyTaylor]

Thank you Ed and Deb - what a nice way to unwind from New Years! The last guests have gone, and now all is quiet and still. For me, being more in the moment means I acquire more presence. There is a little bit more of me here, and that changes the future, my future, which starts to lose its fixed and predictable shape, and becomes instead a giant question-mark. What will I do in a year from now, a month, a week, day, an hour, a minute, a moment? What words will I write next? I don't know any more and that is enough. I am filled, overflowing, and now it's time to be with my family and share. Big love to you both! Happy New Year. - Anthonyx

[javaz]

As I grow older, I have learned to let go of my past mistakes, which are many.
I realize that if I had not made the mistakes that I would not be where I am today, and I really like today.
I learned how to forgive myself, and that was an important step for me.
I survived a rather horrific accident last fall and that helped change my life and I now live by the words - "from this day forward."
One of the problems I experience, is people, alleged friends and not-so-loving family, who absolutely refuse to let me forget my past.
So, my New Year's Resolution is to ignore these friends, since they are not really friends, and avoid certain family as much as possible.
I deserve the right to live my life and enjoy today without the painful reminders of yesterday.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

javaz- From what I have learned after teaching many years is that family and friends can be the most challenging because they hold us in old patterns. They treat us as we use to be and when we grow they may not see that we are not the same person.

They are a good test because they teach us patience. If they don't get under our skin and we can even laugh rather than react we have come a long way, That doesn't mean we don't get bothered but it does mean we don't make it a big deal.

Treasure yourself, Ed

[javaz]

You are right and I thank you for your reasonable reply.
I've learned something from your response - patience.
I'm an older lady, and it always amazes me that at my age I still struggle with these type of life-situations.
I always thought once I reached a certain age that certain challenges would be easier to deal with, but I've found that's not true.
I've had a very good life, actually, and surprisingly have surpassed my dreams, but I've made mistakes and no one has been harder on me than me. (if that makes sense)
I will amend my resolution for the year to include the phrase - "those were the days" - and learn to laugh at my past.
Thank you again for opening my eyes.
I'm proof that you can teach an old dog, new tricks!

[Jonahson]

The saying that the past shape the present and present shape the future is very true. The moment now guided by Right Understanding, Right Speech, Right Thoughts, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration will definitely prevent fresh negative Karma.

Here's a verse worth pondering, "Regret to learn yet learn not to regret."

May this new year bring peace, happiness and good health to all.
May man see the folly of wars.
May each and everyone of you be truly well and happy.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Jonahson- Good to hear from you. You comment is spot on.

Life is an adventure

May all things go well for all beings,

Life is a gift,

Ed

[Culturemaven]

Having lived through an inordinate number of tragedies and hardships (really, it's bizarre), I'm able to take all the strength and wisdom I have gained from those difficult experiences and use them to enjoy today. I can have all the power I gained from surviving the past without dwelling on the sadness, guilt, or pain. I can appreciate this day because I know how incredibly lucky I am.
Thank you for the thought-provoking question. I think I needed that today!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Culturemaven-Thank you for sharing. I could not say I understand but I hold you in love. This very moment is all we have. If we can live fully in this moment there is great joy.

May you be well May you be happy,

Ed