In the past few months the concept of staying in the moment has been presented, re-presented, and tested.
Following the death of David Foster Wallace, I started re-reading some of his work, including the Kenyon commencement speech he made in 2005. The gist of it is found in the last lines:
"The capital-T Truth is about life before death. It is about making it to 30, or maybe 50, without wanting to shoot yourself in the head. It is about simple awareness -- awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over: "This is water, this is water."
It is unimaginably hard to do this, to stay conscious and alive, day in and day out."
It IS unimaginably hard to do this.
I have also been reading and watching Eckhart Tolle, who gives practical examples of how to remain in the now, as well as great reasons for doing so.
It seems that that practice, and the action of doing for others, is the key to prolonged happiness and its righteous cousin, peace of mind.
So I am going to post my little moments of awareness and gratitude every day, to practice, and to be sure that at least in one or two moments every day, I am here.
Or, as DFW said, "I am in here."
2 comments:
When stuck in the river, it is best to dive and swim to the bank yourself before someone drops a large stone on your chest in an attempt to hoosh you there.
--Eeyore
Oh, so that is water too. :-)
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