by thenewgreen

This is not an exercise in talking about what is going wrong in our lives, but rather a way to look at our current, immediate situation (the now) and ask, "what in this moment is lacking?" The answer, unless you are under immediate duress, is usually "nothing."

I'm in my home office. It's warm and secure and I'm alive. Nothing is lacking in the moment, the natural light through my window helps to connect me to the moment. --I'm off to step outside for 10 minutes of meditation. Ponder this:

The great Zen master Rinzai would raise his finger slowly and ask: "What in this moment is lacking?" On the level of the mind, you cannot comprehend or answer – the ego is attached to time and can only survive by creating a future and a past. But in going beyond the ego mind you will tap into the eternal – which only exists in NOW.

Resolve to not fritter away your precious life this week living in the future or past. Give your full attention to what you are doing right now. Appreciate it, savor it, notice the feelings, the colors, the tapestry of life that is all around you if you will only become present. If you are constantly waiting to arrive...you never will.

"If not now, when?"