One common temptation many of us face in life is that of living either in the past or in the future and failing to live in the present moment. We live in the past when we remain controlled by past events, sins, hurts etc. We live in the future when our mind is constantly obsessed with that which is out of our control. All that we need to focus is the present moment. How can we enjoy this present moment? I had two golden opportunities to train myself to be aware of the present moment, for which I am grateful to God and my Congregation.
Two years ago I did Vipassana at Igatpuri, Mumbai, where I experienced the purification of my entire body, especially my mind and sensations. Vipassana taught me to live in the present and helped me to develop a calm and clear mind. It is the practice of mindfulness which helps us to reduce stress and anxiety and improve the perspective about our current situation. Recently I did the ZEN Meditation at Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, where I learnt to focus my mind to the present moment. This meditation helped me to increase my attention and focus, to gain a new perspective in life. The main goal of both the meditations is to let go of our thoughts and regulate our attention to the present moment. Living in the present is as important as all other virtues for healthy and holistic living.
Sr Benny D’Cunha UFS
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