So much of our contemporized mind struggles in a secret world of duality between our natural authentic-self and our ego-based manufactured-self. In our roles as businessperson, parent, partner, friend, consumer, we find little time for reflection. This inherent dissonance leaves no room for fully experiencing the now in our daily lives.
To be in our natural "non-duality" state provides the harmony to access gifts we all naturally possess: peace, empathy and compassion, to name but a few. The natural self just "is"; fear, stress and self-judgment authored by the shadowy manufactured-self dissolve when we are fully authentic.
It is when we are fully present -- sometimes referred to as "mindful living" - that negative brain chatter is upstaged by the simple commitment to the moment (where the simple act drinking a glass of water can be very engaging).
So how can we move away from this "daily duality" where so much fear and tension is produced? By practicing the opposite. For example, instead of pretending to be listening to a client or colleague when we are really thinking of something else and trying to look like we are not, just listen. And when the duality begins, politely decline the invitation and go back to the intent of simply listening. Again and again and again... This is the way back to "no mind" and being fully present.
Practice being in the now every chance you can. In today's world, the only way to counter the gravity pulling us in multiple directions at the cost of being dissociated from here and now - which will come and go whether we experience it or not - is by a dedication to the practice of being fully present, moment by moment, as best we can. There will be strong "habit energy" calling, tugging, and nagging you back toward the world of distraction. Notice, allow, and let it pass.
To surrender to this black hole of distractions wears away the integrity of who we are. We measure our life experience in just that - experience. To spend most of our time maintaining a purgatory of awareness is to be removed from one's very experience: a human dreaming rather than a human being. And that's a high price to pay, one moment at a time.
Fred McGrath is a Minnesota-based business leadership trainer and coach.
www.fredmcgrath.com
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