Living in the Now

Living in the present moment is the full awareness and appreciation of the life we have, right here and now. Present moment awareness is being aware of what is happening in ourselves and our world instead of being lost in random fears from the past and uncertainties, hopes and expectations for the future. In the absence of those fantasies we have the opportunity to enjoy our day-to-day living.
Shannon Duncan

Degrees of Sleep and Wakefulness

Wide Awake Waking Sleep Sleepwalking Dreaming Sleep

Deep Sleep

Stress

How do you know you are stressed?

What sorts of things make you feel stressed? How do you cope with the stress?

Two Definitions of Stress

Stress is a preoccupation with emotional upset.
Dr Derek Roger

The amount of stress in your life is determined by how much energy you expend resisting your life.
Gary Zukav

Physiology of Stress
ADRENALINE Blood pressure up: Blood to muscles: Muscles tense

CORTISOL
Anti-Inflammatory: Stops white blood cell production

Link with Illness

Degrees of Attention
Timetable

Attention Mind Focused

Timetable

Work Completed

Degrees of Attention
Film on TV Cup of coffee Put petrol in the car Supper tonight Family for lunch on Saturday

Attention Mind Scattered

Timetable

Waste of time and energy No work done

Degrees of Attention
Why did I agree to this? My work is not appreciated I should have said The boss always criticizes me

Its not fair!!!

Timetable
Attention Mind Scattered
MISERY HEALTH COMPROMISED NO WORK DONE

Anger and Resentment (Adrenaline + Cortisol)

Tension Blood Pressure up

Attention Focused
Being in the present empowers you to do your best without unnecessary stress.

Drowning

Standing in the Shallows

Detachment

Acceptance
Letting go of how we wish things were or believe them to be in favour of becoming aware of how things really are, is an imperative step towards personal freedom. It is a common trait of modern men and women to obsessively wish that what has already occurred were different. We carry the lead weights of futilely wanting our experiences to have been other than what they were. What makes this so sad is that we then completely miss the life happening right in front of us, in the present moment, while doing it.
Shannon Duncan

Acceptance
I will be happy when

Consistently viewing the present moment as a problem

The Ego
The ego knows nothing of Being but believes you will be saved by doing.
Eckhart Tolle

Characteristics
Separation Covetousness Conflict

Roles and Identification Personality Traits

Communication
In the present

Genuine listening
Open to different view points Taking turns to speak Honesty Tolerance

Thinking of other things Waiting to give your opinion Stuck with old fixed ideas Competing to dominate conversation Hidden agendas Criticism and judgement

Thank you