It means being on the “NOW” – Not a second ago, not a second ahead. Yes, it’s difficult but some people have achieved this and the least we could do is try.
I have not experienced this fully but I try to be in the present with everything I do and I am all ears if someone has anything to share about this. I believe this is possible and real.
The worst thing that could happen is we will develop a routine and approach our life in a better way, the best (might sound implausible) would be that we will always be just happy.
Someone who can live in solitude by himself for a year(let’s say) doing nothing knows how to live life happily than someone who works day in and day out for ten years towards their goal. And the former is more likely to achieve the goal if pursued.
One who can live in the present can live life just by himself and be much happier than someone whose net worth is hundreds of billions. That’s because his happiness is not dependent on certain achievements.
Happiness should never be the outcome of your deeds. If so you’ll be unhappy unless you achieve the outcome you expected.
I once watched Hritik Roshan say,
We were taught that happiness will follow success, but I did not find happiness even after being successful only to realize that happiness is not the destination, its a mere practice.
The meaning I derived from what he said is that you have to learn to be happy every day, and just accept everything that happens around you. Make it a habit, a practice. This will help you be happy in every situation you come across.
The wants and desires will make no sense if you could do this. This does not, in any sense mean that you should kill your wishes – you just need to accept your failure as gracefully as your success.
The desires make you live in a certain way and your happiness depends on them being achieved. With the concept mentioned above, your happiness will be regardless of what you want or what you achieve.
So if happiness is not subjected to any of your accomplishments, you will live happily without even realizing it. It will be like the way you breathe.
Ok, back to the topic…
Just think of the reasons behind everything you do in your life.
Like going to school, going on a vacation, spending time with your people, traveling, finding a job, having a life partner, getting married, having kids, you name it.
And how would you like all these things to happen to you?
-The way you like it – Right?
If all these things happen the way you want them, how would that make you feel? Of course HAPPY.
So if everything that you do in life is to make you and your loved ones happy, wouldn’t you want to achieve that happiness without having to do all those things?
Seems impossible right? Well just try to be on the present. This means you need to do things with all your heart whatever you do.
If you are watering your plant, think of the plant growing with fresh leaves and petals. think of the beautiful blossoming flowering.
If you are working on a project, be involved in it earnestly.
If you are just walking down the street, be watchful of the next step, be watchful of people approaching you, and feel the sunlight on your face or the wind blowing on your cheeks.
If we do everything with all our heart and soul, we fortunately happen to be in the present with the thing we are doing. That makes you think only of the thing that you are doing and you will do it right as well. Because you are giving it all you have.
Meditation is the ‘go-to’ thing.
Meditation is a practice where you focus your mind to feel calm and clear. You sit quietly, breathe deeply, and let go of distractions.
To start, don’t force yourself to do it right. Just let everything that comes to your mind simply pass by. There’s no need to deliberately avoid anything. When you meditate, many thoughts may arise. Once you make meditation a habit, you’ll notice these thoughts becoming fewer and fewer.
Over time, this helps you feel more relaxed, reduces stress, and improves your overall well-being. It’s like giving your mind a rest, which makes you feel more balanced and at peace. That makes you feel healthy and happy. That is happiness in its truest form.
Just try. You won’t regret it.