The Power of the Present Moment

Picture this: you’re sitting in a quiet corner of your home, the soft glow of candlelight casting a gentle warmth upon your surroundings. You close your eyes and take a deep breath, allowing yourself to sink into the stillness of the moment. In that sacred pause, you feel a sense of calm wash over you—a profound peace that transcends words. You’re in the here and now, the present moment.

Yet, to enter into the present moment, you wouldn’t have to be in a quiet corner of your home, nor would you need candlelight. All you need is a breath. The poet-philosopher Noah ben Shea says that taking a moment expands time. Taking one deep, conscious breath can pull us out of anxiety and preoccupation and ground us back in our bodies in an instant.

But why is embracing the now so crucial for our spiritual journey?

First and foremost, living in the present moment invites us to connect with our true selves—the essence of who we are beyond our roles, identities, and external circumstances. In a world that often defines us by our achievements or possessions, the present moment is a sanctuary where we can allow the layers of societal conditioning to fall away and rediscover our innate worthiness. Here, in the spaciousness of the present, we can come home to ourselves.

The present moment opens the door to deeper connections—with others, with nature, and with the divine. When you and I are fully present, we can listen deeply to the inner yearnings of our hearts and the needs of those around us. We can become more conscious of the rhythms of the natural world, finding a deep calm in its beauty, even its wisdom. And we open ourselves to the divine presence that saturates all that is, recognizing that we are embraced by the sacred, and never truly alone.

The Power of Gratitude

Embracing the now also allows us to cultivate a sense of gratitude for all that surrounds us each day–the people, our environment, the sights, sounds, smells, thoughts, emotions, sensations. Forces within and around us often focus on what we lack rather than what we have. Theologian Walter Brueggemann calls this “the myth of scarcity.” The present moment recalls us to perceive the abundance in our lives. Whether it’s the warmth of the sun on our skin, the laughter of a child, or the simple joys of a shared meal, every moment contains much to be grateful for—if we take the time to notice.

How Can We Cultivate a Practice of Presence?

It begins with a simple shift in awareness—a conscious choice to anchor ourselves in the here and now. Whether through mindfulness meditation, breath work, or simply pausing to savor a cup of tea with eyes closed, there are a lots of different ways to invite presence into our lives. And as we commit to this practice, we begin to witness the profound ripple effects it has on our spiritual growth and overall well-being.

For more on cultivating a daily spiritual practice to ground yourself in the here and now, check out this post.

As Close to Us as a Breath

We may find ourselves preoccupied as we drive or ride the train to an upcoming job interview; but we close our eyes, take a breath through our nose, and as soon as we let it out, we’ve paused the anxiety and grounded ourselves back in our bodies in the present.

Maybe we’re replaying an argument we had with a coworker during the day and remember with regret what we said that hurt them; but as soon as we look at the buds on the trees and the late afternoon light shining on them, we reach out in a text and apologize, or promise ourselves to talk to them tomorrow morning.

We’re sitting outside in the evening after dinner, watching a sunset; and we breathe a prayer of thanks for its beauty. Just because.

In closing, I invite you to take a moment—right here, right now—to breathe, to feel, to be. Because the present moment reveals life’s deepest truth: that we are surrounded, saturated, filled with the divine presence. In the present moment, we remember who we are, and find our way back to the essence of our true self. Open your heart and your mind to the now, for in it lies the key to our awakening to all that is.

Call me at 612-470-2688 or contact me here to schedule an initial appointment with me, virtually or in person, to explore the possibilities that lie within you.