Forcing Presence vs. Allowing Presence
We’re going to do two quick exercises. Instead of me telling you what the answers are, I’m going to encourage you to experience your own Truth for yourself.
In Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now, he discusses the importance of Presence, of being fully in this moment.
Being fully in this moment is a very powerful experience because it sidesteps the ego itself. Now, there’s a subtle trick that can happen as the ego tries to sneak in the back door. It will try to “do” Presence. It will try to take credit for being the individual who is Present. It will say that “I” am being Present.
Let’s look at the ego-based way of being Present and compare it to the experience of the non-ego way of being Present. The differences may be subtle, but they are very important.
Doing Presence
Pay attention to your breath as it goes in and out of the body. Notice what your 5 senses are detecting. Take note of the room you’re in. Consciously be totally in this moment and feel your world. If the mind starts blabbering away, bring your attention back to the sensations of the body and feel this moment.
This will probably feel very good, especially after doing it for a little while.
Now, as you are being present, notice if you feel like an individual being. Can you detect the boundaries between your body and the room? Does it feel like you are being conscious of other objects and sensations in the room?
Just honestly note your experience in doing the activity called Presence.
Allowing Presence to Be Present
Now we’re going to put in even less effort. Instead of trying to do Presence, I want you to just stop doing altogether. Just completely stop.
Notice the sense of Presence that is sitting underneath the action. Is it already there? Allow the Presence to be without trying to do anything with it or magnify it in any way.
Allow the sense of awareness to be aware on its own.
Allow this experience to be for a little while.
Then take note of if you feel a sense of localization. Do you feel any boundaries between your body and the area surrounding your body? There is no right or wrong answer. Just trust your feelings.
Compare and Contrast
How does the sense of being compare to the first exercise in which you were actively doing Presence?
If you’re having trouble remembering, feel free to bounce back and forth between the two exercises. Repeat as necessary.
Find out if each exercise feels more like there’s a separate self doing something or if there’s just infinite beingness being.
Your own experiences will be your most powerful teacher. Find out how the differences feel between deliberately doing Presence and allowing Presence to be.
Let me know. I’m very curious as to your experiences.
Namaste.
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8 Responses to “Forcing Presence vs. Allowing Presence”
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Hey Ariel, thanks for your “presence” over at Rebel Zen, I’ve added your blog to my RSS so looking forward to hearing more of what you’ve got to say :-)
Seamus Anthonys last blog post..Are You A Rebel Zen Master?
Ariel Bravy Reply:
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Welcome aboard, Seamus.
I find presence to be difficult sometimes, especially when I need to ‘think’ and plan something out. I think (think too much
) that the best way to get over this though is to be fully involved in the thinking at the time if that is what you are doing?
Cheers,
Glen
Glen Allsopps last blog post..10 Things You Are Not
Ariel Bravy Reply:
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hey Glen,
You’re right that presence can be difficult when we need to think simultaneously. Conscious thinking is more challenging than conscious presence during meditation, for example.
In my experience, a number of things that have helped are being aware of the background stillness that is present even during the thinking, to ask myself who is the “I” that is thinking, and to totally allow the mind to be as it is, without desire to control or manipulate.
What exactly did you have in mind (no pun intended :)) when you mentioned to “be full involved in the thinking”?
The first exercise feels like work. So much to “do”. The second is just allowing and being. With the second the boundaries between my feet and the floor fade as well as my butt on the chair but I cn still feel my elbows on the desk. I also feel waves of energy flowing through me randomly. It’s interesting because I have always placed a lot of emphasis on my breathing but now see that it is not so necessary for just “being”.
This is something that I have struggled with for some time, whether it is ok to “force” presence, and if I can’t, then what do I do? I recently asked what I believe to be an enlightened person about this, and he said just notice what is happening, and that you can’t force presence. I guess it all depends on how much “mind” is involved, because if there is little, you can also “do” presence. It was really irritating for a while, because you realize there is a wrong way to be present, one that feels forceful and ..wrong I guess! I think I just needed to calm down.
By the way, what the heck happens when “enlightenment” happens? I know we all say enlightenment already exists, but fine..the change in perception. WHatever it is..in a few months I will be jobless. I hope enlightenment can show me some answers
Piotr B. Reply:
January 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
nevermind that last paragraph
Piotr B said,”Nevermind that last paragraph.” Why? Did something change for you?