My attempts to be in the moment have brought to my attention a feeling akin to my knees standing guard over my feet. I doubt that makes sense – it’s kind of hard to explain; truly a weird feeling. I think it is the opposite of feeling grounded.
When there is a question of this magnitude, I ask my sons. My oldest son was visiting. I told him my feeling of hovering over my feet and he advised me to pay attention to my legs. This has helped. Feeling grounded is a great feeling and I want more of it!
Part of being in the moment must be feeling grounded – to the earth. I want to understand what else is involved in being in the moment but first I want to explore this question with you:
What is the difference – if there is one – in the saying “live for the moment” and the saying “live in the moment”? Do you feel different when someone says “live for the moment” than you do when someone says “live in the moment”?
What is the difference between for and in? Let me know what you think. If you don’t think there is any difference, just hit reply to this email and say NO.
Thanks for exploring the moment’s mystery – Nicky Mendenhall
12 comments
Recently some friends commented that they didn't like the concept of staying in the moment because we have memories and make future plans, etc., so we sometimes want to be in the past or future. But that isn't what the Buddhist concept is about. It is more about being present and engaged fully in the experience at hand. Our minds do have a tendency to wander, to do instant replays of a wonderful or terrible past event or to imagine what saturday night will be like. But this is it. This is only moment we are experiencing right now, and the more we escape into other time, the more we miss it. If I take a walk and my mind wanders the whole time, I miss the real walk. I know I can't literally stay in the present all the time, but I think it is worth the effort to be fully present as much as I can; it helps me be aware of what I say, how I respond, etc. I always remember the old Buddhist story about the monk who was chased off a cliff by a tiger. As he fell to his death, there was strawberry growing out of a rock. It was the best oine he had ever eaten. THAT is being in the moment.
Vicki – thanks for your message – so helpful in explaining "the moment". I've always heard the strawberry story but never felt how connected it is with being in the moment.
Interesting that you hear for the moment as a future event to get ready for. I'll have to think about that. I can almost understand that.
I'm glad you read Vicki! Being in the moment isn't easy or always possible (I like how you said that!) but worth every penny it costs.
It’s interesting because the 2 phrases do feel different to me. “Live for the moment” feels like being asked to throw away, or at least disregard the past. “Live in the moment” feels more all-encompassing. Maybe at one moment you’re looking at a photo of the past and appreciating what has gone before. OK, I’m not sure I’m making sense here. Feelings. They’re hard to explain.
Margaret
I appreciate your attempt to define how these two phrases feel different and I agree, they do feel different.
It is difficult to talk about feelings! I think your stab at for the moment as being asked to throw away something is very thought provoking. I can imagine a conversation where when someone says for the moment they mean I didn't do this in the past and I'm not going to do it in the future – bur for the moment I am going to do it.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Hi, Nicky! It sounds like "for the moment" is a future event. Get ready and decide how best to live it. "In the moment" is being present and aware of now. I agree with Vicki, that "in the moment" isn't easy or always possible, but it's rewarding. Jeanne
“For” and “In” within this adage almost seem to be an example of opposites are true. “For” seems to imply you are enjoying something now regardless of the consequences. “In” feels more grounded in real life.
I like this a lot Nolan! For now implying it's okay for now no matter what happens and In now being grounded in the real.
Thank you! I think you may have put your finger on a paradox!
I believe if someone says “live in the moment,”it’s all about today. I also think when someone says” live for the moment, -“that moment has not happened yet. Everyone need something to look forward to, living for the moment extends hope .
Thank you for your insight. Rebecca – I hope you have something to look forward to in your life as that is important.
I know that feeling of hovering over the feet. The energy body out of alignment with the physical body. It used to happen all the time. I had such a hard time being grounded.
I think I could still be better grounded…but I am sooooo much better now. As soon as I bring my awareness to my physical body, I can usually feel my energy field connect with the earth.
What helped me a lot was to connect to my body weight throughout the day…resting into what physically was supporting me in the moment. Also doing my meditation with my whole body…not just my head. And trying not to spend too much time thinking without sufficient body breaks.
Also, learning Focusing was good because it gave me a body-centered way to deal with emotions. Before, emotions used to take me into my head where my thoughts would spin out…
Oh my goodness what a wealth of help in your message. I practiced this morning during meditation of feeling the weight of my body. Today I was sitting in a chair and could feel my "sits" bones connecting more with the chair. Nice.
I am going to practice being more aware of my physical being during the day. And I want to move more often.
The Focusing idea reminds me of how I want to feel the emotions in my body and not like you mentioned get caught up in a whirlwind of anxiety.
Thanks SO much!
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