Searching for the Present Moment

The practice of mindfulness is fundamentally concerned with becoming more aware of the present moment. Mindfulness techniques such as observing the breath, walking meditation, working meditation, eating meditation, scanning the body, mindful writing, deep listening, mindfully cradling our thoughts and feelings, and observing mind with mind are all methods of cultivating an awareness of the “here and now.” In effect, these techniques are types of meditative anchor that help to tie the mind to the present moment and provide a reference point for maintaining an unbroken flow of awareness throughout the day. The word mindfulness, which is a translation of the Pali word sati, essentially means “to remember” (i.e., to remember to be aware of the present moment). However, believe it or not, from the Buddhist perspective, the whole point of remembering to be aware of the present moment is so that we can remember to let go of it. …