"Living in the Present Moment"

[Moth]

I've always found that advice to be misleading. Don't dwelling in distant past or future, sure. However, what is a moment? A minute? A second? A millisecond? How many times can we divide time before it ceases to mean anything? It seems impossible to live in the moment, considering that our experience is generally recognized after it has occurred.

[MattJ]

I'm tempted to ask: how can one NOT live in the present moment? Even thoughts of the past and future occur in the present moment.

[Cafael Dust]

On an internet forum, would it be when one's heart is in the present question, not in the future reply?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

On an internet forum, would it be when one's heart is in the present question, not in the future reply?

I would suggest in that context it's more about being mindful of one's present mindstate, actions and reactions.

Metta,
Retro.

[Cafael Dust]

You are right. Mindfulness beats soundbites.

[Aloka]

However, what is a moment? A minute? A second? A millisecond? How many times can we divide time before it ceases to mean anything? It seems impossible to live in the moment, considering that our experience is generally recognized after it has occurred

"Here and now" is probably a better way to describe it. I have heard Ajahn Sumedho using this expression rather than ''present moment''.

Anyway, I think if we try to analyse everything down to the tiniest details too much, maybe we might miss the point altogether !

.

[Kim O'Hara]

"Here and now" is probably a better way to describe it. I have heard Ajahn Sumedho using this expression rather than ''present moment''.

My meditation teacher has been known to say, "Don't leave the room" while we are sitting. It's another way of reminding us to stay with present experience.


Kim

[daverupa]

It is helpful to recognize that what people naturally describe as occurring 'now' comprises a subjectively-broad saddle-back curve of time, rather than a point-instant or an objectively quantifiable & universally applicable span of (micro-)seconds. Trying to parse a specific measurement is missing the forest for the trees.

[Sarva]

"Here and now" is probably a better way to describe it. I have heard Ajahn Sumedho using this expression rather than ''present moment''.

My meditation teacher has been known to say, "Don't leave the room" while we are sitting. It's another way of reminding us to stay with present experience.


Kim

I like that, Kim, worth quoting! Thanks

[polarbuddha101]

the idea that we aren't living in the present moment is just another delusion to be caste away. But I know what you mean, keeping thought from speculating about timeframes that it isn't existing in. actually now that i think about it this topic is addressed by ludwig wittgenstein in my signature

[Ron-The-Elder]

[Devata:]
Those who abide in the forest, Peaceful, living the holy life; Those who eat but a single meal; — why is it their face is so calm?

[The Buddha:]
They do not grieve over the past, Nor do they yearn for the future; They live only in the present — That is why their face is so calm. It's from yearning for the future, And from grieving over the past; This is how fools become withered — Like a fresh reed that's been hacked down.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .olen.html

Excellent citation! Thank you!

Buddha, during his dissertation regarding his unbinding, release and awakening explained that he could see many of his past lives, which is essentially dwelling in the past. Buddha explained during his dissertations regarding Khamma and Khamma-vipakha that rebirths in unfortunate realms were to be feared as a consequence of harmful intentional actions, which is dwelling in the future, but he had no attachment to any of those revelations. His purpose in revealing them was to provide us with instructions so as to warn and teach that it is wise to reflect upon our actions: Learning from past consequences, and making reasonable predictions as to potential courses of actions so as to guide our choices based upon the most beneficial potential outcomes.

[paarsurrey]

I think while living in this world one should do acts and deeds that lead one to slavation or nirvana; that is living in the present moment really and truthfully otherwise one would be lead astray from the right or middle path.