Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make NOW the primary focus of your life. ~ Eckhart Tolle
Vietnamese Buddhist monk and author Thich Nhat Hahn tells an interesting story about a visit with his friend Jim Forest.
After they finished dinner one night, Jim asked his friend if he could do the dishes. The monk replied, “Go ahead, but if you wash the dishes, you must know the way to wash them.”
Jim replied, “Come on, you think I don’t know how to wash the dishes?”
To which Thich Nhat Hahn replied, “There are two ways to wash dishes. The first is to wash the dishes in order to have clean dishes, and the second is to wash the dishes in order to wash the dishes.”
Do you see what Thich Nhat Hahn was saying?
If we rush through washing the dishes (or any other task), then we are not washing the dishes to wash the dishes. We are simply getting the dish washing out of the way so we can rush on to our next task.
We are not living in the now, the present moment. We are missing the joy and the power of Now.
Spirit
If you’re always yearning for another time, another place, another relationship, or whatever, you’re not living in the Now. You’re giving your power away to something that does not exist—the past or the future. Or maybe both.
All your power is in your Now, in this present moment. Neither the past nor the future can shackle you to a life you do not choose to live.
As you know, dwelling in the past often brings guilt and sadness. Focusing on the future often brings worry and fear.
Neither past nor future are real. Only Now is real. Do not hand your power and your life over to something that does not even exist!
Partially adapted from John Cali and Spirit Special Reports
P.S. Thich Nhat Hahn, who was born in Vietnam and is 92, was exiled from his homeland for many years. In November 2018, after receiving permission, he returned home to spend his remaining days there.
Copyright © 2019 by John Cali
How often do you fail to “wash the dishes” the “right” way? I know I’ve occasionally failed miserably at it.
What are some of the “tricks” you use to stay focused in the present moment, the Now? After all, as Eckhart says, that’s all we have.
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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One of my favorite spiritual teachers is Alan Watts. In this video Alan offers some great insights into the power of Now.
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It is pretty powerful, John, when you realize you’re in the present moment in meditation or just step-by-step walking, like Thich Nhat Hanh has taught. Nothing like being in the Now watching the moments as they unfold. Thank You.
You’re welcome, Pat. I agree — there is nothing like being in the Now. It creates a whole new, and peaceful, perspective.
Thank you, John. This is very much something I’ve been conscious of for many years and have worked on in my life. I’ve followed Thich Nhat Hanh over the years and happy to hear he’s been allowed to return home. I didn’t realize he was 92. That came as a surprise to me.
Along the same lines of the power of now, I’ve also followed Ram Dass where he wrote “Be Here Now” years ago and Eckhart Tolle in his book, “The Power of Now”. So true in what you wrote and has been written and what Spirit says, “All your power (and I would also add life) is in your Now, in this present moment.” And, for me, a way to connect to it is to pay attention to my breathing. That helps bring me in the present moment.
As always, John, another good one. Love and hugs, my friend.
You’re most welcome, Pat. Neither did I realize Thich Nhat Hanh was 92. It’s great that he’ll be able to spend his remaining days in his beloved homeland.
Ram Dass and Eckhart Tolle are wonderful spiritual teachers and role models for us all. Like you, I’ve read both their powerful books.
I also use my breathing as a way to be in the now. In fact, I often meditate just by focusing on my breathing. It’s pretty powerful.
Thanks again, my dear friend.
Lots of love and hugs,
John
For some reason Thich Nhat Hahn comment has touched a nerve but as yet I can’t put my finger on it .
Just trust your inner guidance — and it will make itself obvious.
To bring myself into the present moment, I stop and ask .. “What is my next thought going to be?” This seems to create a few seconds of clarity with no ‘thought’ traffic .. I wish it was a state I could stay in longer
Thanks very much, Ken. It certainly would be great to eliminate all our “thought” traffic. 🙂
It’s funny, I used to let my dishes pile up until I actually felt (the) present enough to wash them, and, enjoy it!
I try to remember, “If you’re in your head, you’re in the past or future. If you’re in your heart, you’re in the Now.” So simple, yet so easy to forget.
I’m happy to say, I’m in the Now a lot more than I used to be. Being this way truly does make me feel happier, and then my dishes are always washed the right way! But also, the more present you are, the easier it is to notice when you aren’t. A good trick is a quick cat nap to reboot your mood and energy, too!
Thank you, Tracy. I’d never heard that about your head being in the past or future, and your heart in the now. But I like it.
I agree — life becomes far smoother and more joyful when you live only in the moment.