Conscious Presence

The Power of Conscious Presence: My Next New Obsession

So, it has taken me way too long to read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, but I finally did—and now I’m completely obsessed with it. I can’t stop integrating the concept of conscious presence into my life and work. What struck me most deeply—and something I now repeat to myself daily—is this: There is no problem that exists purely in the present moment. And if there is a problem, all the solutions needed to solve it are available right here and now.

Now, practicing this presence is no small feat. I have to remind myself multiple times a day (sometimes multiple times a minute!). My mind loves to spiral into worry or future planning, and it can get sooo noisy. But when I can actually land in the present moment, I’m often met with patience, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for my life and the people in it—even the ones who were annoying me two seconds before.

Here’s a real-life example: I was getting my kid ready for school, and he was on his fourth hour of trying to tie his shoes. I was starting to panic that we’d be late. Meanwhile, my dear dog, Bear, was treating us all to his loud, operatic vocal performance. I was seconds away from losing my cool and yelling at everyone. But then, I took a deep breath and reminded myself to return to the present moment. In reality, we weren’t late yet. My son was following directions and doing exactly what I’d asked. My dog was just happy and alive, expressing himself, and I love him for it. I was sitting comfortably on the couch with everything I needed. And just like that, my agitation lifted, and I felt calm and appreciative of the little scene around me. It was a true win.

Now, I’ll be honest—it doesn’t always go like that. Sometimes, I still get caught up in frustration, worry, or impatience. But I truly believe that the more we practice conscious presence, the more open we become to giving and receiving love. When we’re fully present, we’re not only more open to the people around us but also to the solutions we might need to handle any issue that arises. It’s this incredible clarity that shows up when we give our full attention to the here and now.

What is Conscious Presence, Really?

I want to make a distinction here: conscious presence isn’t just about being mindful or meditating. It’s about actively living in the “now,” moment to moment, with an openness to whatever is happening. It’s staying fully engaged and awake to life rather than drifting into autopilot or, as Tolle might put it, a “spiritual coma.” This practice allows us to respond with patience and gratitude, even during life’s messy or stressful moments, and reminds us of the beauty in what’s right in front of us.

It’s also deeply energizing and, ironically, tiring. It feels like training for a marathon—the marathon of living a fully present, loving life. And yet, as challenging as it can be, I’ve found it’s completely worth the effort. I’m more connected to myself and my surroundings, and more able to handle stress without losing sight of what really matters.

Good luck, friends. The journey of conscious presence isn’t easy, but it’s the most meaningful one I’ve ever taken. So here’s to embracing each moment, opening up to the world around us, and finding magic in the everyday. Remember, if there’s a problem in the present, the solutions are here too—all we need to do is stay present enough to find them.