BEING IN THE MOMENT

It may be one of the most beautiful days on planet Earth I ever experienced. It is perhaps a little too warm outside at 82 F but it is perfect where I sit. There is a wonderful cool breeze coming in my North window. All is well.

We got an inch of rain Wednesday Night which has saved us from a drought. It was getting very dry. We had much electric activity last Night, there was much rumbling but no more rain. All is right for now but we are going to need more rain soon.

Hey, I shouldn't be apprehensive about the future but these scattered rain events remind me of droughty years we have had in the past. Of course, weather can turn on a dime in Minnesota. Think of it, two weeks ago, I was peering out the pantry window seeing if that snow pile melted yet.

I am trying to keep my mind in the moment. It is difficult. It is hard enough when we are meditating and our minds keep chattering away about past or future events, but it is doable. The rest of the time our minds are constantly being reminded of things we should be concerned about, whether past or future. Our egos like to stay in control and they use subtle and not so subtle fear, often disguised as legitimate concern; they can't stand it when we are just in the moment because they have no sway.

Of course, in the moment is where love is. Lately I have been renewing my intent to be loving whenever I am experiencing something else. I could just as well have the objective of always being in the moment. It is the same place. I am not doing real well. Several times a day I have to pause momentarily and remind myself I am loved unconditionally and I could be treating myself that way as well. Isn't it arrogant to assume we are unlovable when an unconditionally loving universe tells us otherwise?

We are learning the more we practice being in the moment the less we hear the siren song of the ego. We know that if we take care of everything this day the future takes care of itself. We have had that admonition handed down to us for centuries and it is a tenet of all major religion. Yet, it is so easy to be seduced by fear about a future we have no control over. We are constantly missing the love, peace and joy of the moment. We don't want to do that anymore.

We know this life is our creation. We create by extending the moments with our thoughts and feelings. What do we want to extend, the petty thoughts of our egos, or the feelings of paradise that we can glimpse when we are in the moment?

On a day like this, sitting in the North Room at my computer, feeling a gentle cool breeze blowing in from the window, every once in awhile getting the scent of lilacs, I turn my head I see a lush pasture with sheep grazing; it is easy for me to imagine paradise. Thoughts of anything else are far away. We have these moments where it seems like paradise will stretch out in front of us forever. Then in an instant we can be transported to hell by a fear thought. We can learn to train ourselves to cut off the effect of a fear thought and return to the moment just as effectively.

To effectively deal with fear thoughts, it is very helpful to realize fear is not real. Fear is what creates the illusion we see as reality. Oh it seems real enough! It is reinforced by forces of the dark who would like to keep us fearful. However, fear has no power of its own. It is only the absence of love. Where love reigns, fear cannot exist.

Love is reality. Love is the only thing that exists. As we practice being in the moment we will experience the truth of this. We can create paradise for ourselves by being loving every moment.

Sure we will backtrack a lot. We will get our noses bloody. But we will renew our intent, every five minutes if necessary, we will walk out in to the light. Light and Love are reality. Darkness is a sham.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYBODY! CELEBRATE!

Love and Peace, Gregg