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How to 'Be' in the Moment

When we meditate, we try to connect to that inner peace and serenity that transcends thought. For me, it's a type of stillness that feels like I am completely connected to timelessness, and that there is no beginning or end, it just "is." But why does that feeling have to be so temporary or elusive?
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Life Coach, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Author

Life Coach, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Author
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Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know that I
Be still and know that
Be still and know
Be still and
Be still
Be

Psalm 46:10

I would imagine that most people, at some point in their lives, have probably experienced a feeling of peace or deep serenity within themselves. For some, that feeling might seem like you're connecting to something greater than yourself, which can be called God, the divine, almighty, or whatever name you use to describe that feeling, if any name at all.

The first time I can remember experiencing that was when I was a child, rolling around on the grass, looking up at the clouds in the sky and feeling so content and peaceful. I could have just stayed like that for hours.

When we meditate, we try to connect to that inner peace and serenity that transcends thought. For me, it's a type of stillness that feels like I am completely connected to timelessness, and that there is no beginning or end, it just "is."

But why does that feeling have to be so temporary or elusive? And why can't we just "be" in the moment indefinitely, or at least carry the serenity of the moment into all other moments of our day?

We can, by learning how to "be" present in all of the moments in our lives, but in order to do that, we have to be willing to stop being somewhere other than exactly where we are, and allow our "un-present" self to drop away.

Here are some ways to "be" in the moment, and find the stillness within you:

  1. Sit somewhere quiet and listen to the sounds around you. If you see a bird or hear it chirping, imagine it as an extension of who you are.

  • Float in the ocean or a river when it's calm, and allow yourself to be carried with the current of the water.

  • Lie down in a field or somewhere expansive, and look up at the sky. As the clouds slowly move, drift along with them like there is no space or time.

  • Take a walk somewhere that pleases you. Don't feel rushed or hurried, but instead feel relaxed, and let each step connect you to your surroundings with total awareness. If you're somewhere where you can be barefoot, like on sand or grass, stand there for a few minutes and feel the texture of it under your feet.

  • Go outside at night and look up at the stars. Focus on one and try and connect to its light.

  • Put on some music that you really like. Let it move through you as if it's coming from within instead of outside of yourself.

  • Lie in bed before you fall asleep and visualize holding yourself in your arms. Surround yourself with love and acceptance.

    • There can be stillness in every moment if we allow ourselves to drop into it fully with awareness, and it takes merely a second to just "be."

    That's when time feels eternal. When we are most present.

    For more by Ora Nadrich, click here.

    For more on emotional wellness, click here.

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