Presence is the state of awareness of this present moment. We empower ourselves when we move from Presence.
Lee Byrd
When we take the time to slow down and realize Presence, our world view changes. It is this space allows us to move from the perspective of our higher, authentic self. Clarity arises in Presence. We experience spaciousness and ease enabling us to make changes, supporting the life we want.
Presence is innate and accessible to everyone at any time. You don’t have to travel around the world and live isolated in an ashram or monastery or a cave high in the Himalayas. There is no special diet or yogic pose required, no specific ideology or ritual or meditation method. Presence is not just for the chosen few—it is our natural state and is always available.
Stop right now, close your eyes and take a deep conscious breath. What do you hear? Smell? Feel? This is Presence.
We humans tend to complicate things thinking we need to do something, be somewhere special, have some specific training to know Presence. But in truth is, we don’t obtain Presence, Presence is already here, always. Our task it to simply stop and be aware. Becoming aware of our naturals state may take time and it will take commitment to yourself, to know who you are at the core: Presence.
Presence Through Body Awareness
Body awareness not only anchors you in the present moment, it is a doorway out of the prison that is the ego.
Eckhart Tolle
The most direct path to experiencing Presence is through a body awareness meditation, which is a simple process allowing us to just be with what is here now.
- Start by finding a safe space to sit (or lie) for several minutes. Consider soft music, perhaps a candle, incense or better yet, diffuse and inhale your favorite essential oil.
- Take a moment to look around your environment as a way of establishing where you are and that it is indeed a safe space. This allows the nervous system to relax and come into balance.
- Close your eyes or soften your gaze — some find it easier to gaze softly at a candle.
- Take a deep breath, down to the bottom of your belly, and release slowly. Repeat this several times, each time allowing your physical body to relax and come to rest.
- Now, keeping your awareness on your body sensations, begin at your feet — just a simple noticing as to what is here now — no judgement, no need for anything to be different. Slowly and deliberately work your way up the body. Note any resistance that may be there. Be very tender with yourself.
This simple exercise helps balance the nervous and emotional systems which gives us the opportunity to make healthier more empowering decisions for ourselves. I recommend doing this practice on a regular daily basis, perhaps twice a day — upon waking and before sleep, as well as any time there is anxiety or stress.
Daily Practice of Tenderness
- Meditation
- Breath Work
- Movement
- Self-Inquiry Journaling
Enhance your practice with essential oils (make sure they are pure), crystals, soft (high frequency) meditative music, photos or objects that make you smile.
The most important part of this is tenderness! Through tenderness we assimilate positive, life-affirming change. Tenderness is our natural state and is a direct path to the freedom of Presence.
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