If we silently watch our mind even now, we will realise that it is either in the past or in the future. Our mind is forever wandering. It goes in the past, haunted or smitten by the memories. These memories could range from some insignificant incident that happened an hour ago, to something major that occurred years ago. It is like a tape which plays time and again without a stop button.

Alternatively, the mind moves into the future – either fearful or in our own daydreams. If we make it a habit to regularly observe our mind, it might take us by surprise. It is practically a ping-pong ball!

Eckhart says that no event occurs in the past or future. Life is just a continuous stream of present moments over time. The past is a collection of once-present moments that have passed. The future is filled with several present moments that are yet to arrive. We are effectively missing out on life every time we oscillate between the past and the future.

As the past and future are simply alternative versions of the present, there are no advantages to worrying about them. If we can simply focus on the present, we will only be dealing with minor problems as they arise.

Relationship With Mind

Mind is the instrument that takes us from past to future. It is a disease to be not able to stop thinking. So how do we stop the incessant chatter? Thankfully, there’s a way and it is not as difficult as one might think.

All we have to do is observe the thoughts that it produces. Yes, it is that simple. Eckhart suggests that we observe our thoughts as they come and go in our mind space without engaging or battling with them. Slowly, we will start dis-identifying from our mind and the light of our Being/Consciousness, which is above these thoughts, will grow stronger.

Let’s inverse the popular mantra by Rene Descartes “I think, therefore I am” to “I am, therefore I think”.

Pain Body

After thoughts, let us examine our emotions. Next concept he introduces is Pain Body. It is an accumulation of painful life experiences that were not faced fully and accepted when they happened. After some years, they create an energy entity consisting of old emotions.

The emotional pain that we experience leaves behind a residue. That residue can survive only if we identify with it, so it tries hard to feed off us.

Again, the answer is to stay in the present where the true power lies. The moment we OBSERVE our pain body, the identification is broken. That’s when we will find our innermost strength (Being).

Fear

He specifically touches upon the emotion of fear. Many a time, the psychological condition of fear is divorced from any true and immediate danger. It is based on assumptions. The tricky point is that we cannot possibly cope with something that is only a mind’s projection.

Identification with mind gives it more energy, observation of mind withdraws energy from it. The more we live in Now, more we are free of pain and suffering.

Ego is Destructive

Our Ego has a negative Impact as it controls us through our thoughts and emotions. Eckart says that its existence depends on misery and therefore it causes unconscious destruction by baiting us into accepting our thoughts/emotions as our identity. It is scared to lose its identity which depends on remaining separate from the Being. It is known that more you battle with your Ego, stronger it becomes.

So what is the solution? The more we live in Now, more flexible is our Ego, more we are free of pain and suffering. Primarily, Dwell in Now and pay brief visits to past and future.

Surrender vs Resign

Surrender to the reality of a situation and then take steps to create a different path. There is a difference between resignation and surrender. While one denotes helplessness, the other denotes conscious decision. Surrendered actions involve letting go of judgment while seeking change.

Do not confuse surrender with an attitude of “I can’t be bothered anymore” or “I just don’t care anymore” because this attitude is tainted with negativity or resentment.

When Eckart says surrender he means that we must Surrender our resistance to the present moment. Therefore, we do not react but respond in any given situation. How do you know you have surrendered? When you feel light, clear and deeply at peace; then you have surrendered.

Stop Waiting

Are you a habitual waiter? If we look closely, our mind seems to be in a mode of waiting for the next event even when there’s no need for it. It has been so trained that it starts thinking of the next task even before the first one is finished.

Right now, the mind is thinking questions like – how much time left to finish reading this article? What’s next? It’s almost never completely in the present moment.

Just like it rushes ahead in these moment-to-moment situations, similar understanding can be applied to the broader scheme of things. We wait to achieve life’s next milestone, promotion, children’s admissions etc. We assume that one day when that particular desire is fulfilled, life will be fine. However, when that milestone is achieved, we start waiting for the next one.

Observation

Since observation is an important tool, it is important to discuss certain points mentioned regarding observation:

• Don’t make an identity of what you observe, just continue observing. Identity denotes certain kind of rigidity or a preference.

• Don’t judge, appreciate, condemn what you observe in your own self. Move beyond the binary of good and bad by viewing every experience as potentially moving you toward peace.

• Remember that whatever you observe is temporary – your thoughts, emotions, behavior

• Do not resist any kind of uncomfortable revelations. When something feels dark, all you have to do is switch on the light of awareness and it will automatically reveal the path ahead. So, watching itself is enough.

• Become mindful of each moment

• Reach a point where you will be observing the thinker in you and a higher level of consciousness will awaken. The past will melt away in the light of awareness

Breathing

Apart from observing thoughts/emotions, another tool to stay in the present is through Breath. Breath is always in the present moment. Become aware of your breath and gently start following the path it follows in your body. By virtue of following the breath, also become aware of the NOW.