Each day we are faced with a cacophony of stimuli – visual, aural, olfactory – to which we sometimes respond positively, feeling energised and inspired, and at other times, seek to avoid in search of peace and quiet.
One of the challenges in our current times is the sheer level of ‘noise’ in our world – […]
“As you become more present in your own life, you will begin to enlighten others by your example.” Germany Kent
We can only truly listen if we are here, now. Fully present in this moment. No past butting in. No future being imagined. No pesky thoughts dragging our attention away from this moment.
And what are we listening […]
One of the aspects of the quality ‘presence’ is the ability to be able to be connected ‘within’ to a centre that is calm, expansive and subtle whilst remaining available to the more dense world of what we might describe as ‘normal daily living’. Bringing those two worlds together – the more subtle with the […]
‘If you have pendulum clocks on the wall and start them all at different times, after a while the pendulums will all swing in synchronicity. The same thing happens with heart cells in a Petri dish: They start beating in rhythm even when they’re not touching one another.’ Bruce Lipton
Some years ago on retreat my […]
I was reflecting the other day on the qualities of my aunt who died recently. Amongst her many beautiful qualities was the quality of presence – true, meaningful presence. When she was with you she was really with you…even if she wasn’t saying very much – or perhaps especially then.
Presence is about so much more […]
What I’ve noticed about expressing the quality of presence to its fullest is that helps us do what’s needed rather than what’s wanted. To make the distinction here, doing what’s wanted is, for me, attached to personal wants and desires – our own or those of others. What’s needed is about addressing the situation, unattached […]
‘I choose the way that leads between the two great lines of force’
One of the things worth considering as we seek to achieve the inner quality of presence has to do with where our attention is focused. In the world as it is today it is so easy to become caught up in the drama […]
The two-way gift of presence
One of the greatest gifts we can give others is to be fully present with them, wholly attentive and connected to and with them in each moment we are together. Being fully present honours our interconnectedness and essential one-ness.
This gift for others is something we can give ourselves too if we […]
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Buddha
Being present in this moment isn’t easy in the noisy, distracting, busy world we occupy yet, as I think about it, it is the most efficient and perfect use of our energy, our capability. The present […]
In reflecting on the quality of presence for this blog, I considered how my relationship with the understanding and practice of presence has evolved. Over the past months I have had many stimuli on this subject, one of which has been working with Otto Scharmer’s Theory U where he invites us all to sense deeply […]
