Listening to Sacred Stillness: Plumbing the Depth of the Present

Plumbing the Depth of the Present

Many of us tend to overlook the depth of the present moment. We may become distracted and trapped in the depths of the past or the future.

Our actions we wish we had never taken or the pain we hope to avoid can capture our attention. Some of us have pasts filled with deep pools of regret or missed opportunities. The future might be full of fears or fantasies waiting to lure us in and seize our attention. It may be a temptation, again and again, to spend our time plumbing the depths of the past or the future.

Some of us may not even be able to recognize what distracts us to spend our attention.

We may appreciate it is impossible to change the past or the future, no matter how we try. Even when we see that, it can be a challenge for us to stop.

It is a waste of our time and energy for us to try to affect the past or fear the future. The greater waste, though, is when we do not take time to plumb the depth of the present.

Each present moment holds as much depth as the past or the future. Many of us, though, look at the present as what we need to move through to get from here to there. We often experience the present as fleeting, passing too quickly to matter.

In fact, the only differences we can make are in the present.

It is a significant mistake for us not to plumb the depth of the present. As we take time to listen to sacred stillness, to pay attention of the present, we open ourselves to it.

The present responds to our openness by opening itself to us.

Being Open to the Depth of the Present

There are people who do not recognize the powerful depth of each present moment. They may never have taken time to experience what each moment can offer them.

Some people have never really thought about the present as distinct from the past and the future. A few of us can be intimidated or even afraid of the idea of the present having depth or power.

Many of us have not felt for ourselves how deep and powerful each moment can be.

For a lot of us, our first inkling of what the present can mean overwhelms us. We may be taken by surprise. A moment washes over us before we have time to recognize it.

Even when we understand the potential power of a present moment we often do not know how to open ourselves to it.

Many of us need to spend time practicing before we catch on to the depth of the present. Most of us have put so much time and effort into protecting ourselves we feel uncomfortable being open.

We are used to rushing through the present, seeing it as a vanishing resource. Slowing down, paying attention, listening to the sacred all seem foreign to us.

Many of us are trying so hard to save time we cannot stop and open ourselves to the present.

We open ourselves to the depth of the present by taking time to listen. Not all the other things we could keep in mind which might be more comfortable for us.

We become open as we set aside the ideas and distractions, even for a few minutes.

As we practice being open to the present, the present moment opens itself to us.

What We Find in the Depth of the Present

Each present moment opens itself to each of us in unique, personal ways.

There is no single answer we find in the depth of the present moment. Each of us comes to the present with our own questions and each moment has its own response for us.

As I practice listening to sacred stillness and opening myself I find more in the depth of the present. Like the depth of the ocean, each present moment reveals itself in its own ways.

Depths which were opaque to me for long periods of time become clearer with practice.

I grow more honest with myself and with the present moment about my hopes and fears, my regrets and fantasies. We reveal ourselves to each other. Our understanding and our connection become more intimate.

Listening to sacred stillness, plumbing the depth of the present moment, helps us recognize ourselves. We pay attention and see ourselves in a new light. As we release the distractions of the past and the future we appreciate who we are in the present.

Each moment passes and we become who we have the potential to be.

The insights and questions, the truths we have told ourselves longer than we can remember. The depth of the present moment shows us who we know we can be.

Each day, each moment carries its own wisdom. We listen over time and grow in recognition of who we have the power to be.

When We Plumb the Depth of the Present

The present is honest with us. Sometimes the present reassures us or helps us understand. There are other times when the depths of the present moment can just make us more confused.

We respond to the present in our own ways. We practice listening and opening ourselves to the realities of each present moment. The present has wisdom to teach us and helps us learn patience.

There are truths we recognize in the depths of the present we may not enjoy. We may not always be comfortable in the present moment, but it is honest with us.

The fears and regrets which distract us carry no weight in the present. We look the present in the eye and see our deepest selves reflected.

Each moment carries its own words of wisdom for us.

How do you plumb the depth of the present moment?

When will we listen to sacred stillness in the depth of the present this week?

[Image by dvs]

Greg Richardson is a spiritual life mentor and leadership coach in Southern California. He is a recovering attorney and university professor, and a lay Oblate with New Camaldoli Hermitage near Big Sur, California. Greg’s website is StrategicMonk.com, and his email address is [email protected].