Around We Go.

What does it mean, to be here now?

To, really, be here, now. To fully embrace, accept, understand, and love the present moment, for the all the uncertainty, wonder, and confusion that might exist simultaneously. As the thoughts circulate, habitually, doing their rounds as they always do, familiar, yet evasive and elusive.

The pattern always repeats itself, until the pattern is broken and disrupted. And it requires that we step far enough back to see and acknowledge the pattern to begin with. To see ourselves out of and above what we might call the ego, our identity, what we hold onto fiercely.

And what happens when we let go of such an identity, that is, everything we think we are, our name, our work, our relationships? When all is stripped away what remains in place, anything at all? Nothingness? Is it even possible to get a glimpse of “the other side,” as though there were such a thing as “here” and “there.”

To be here, now. This is what we must come back to, over and over again throughout our beautiful and complex lives. No agenda, no narrative, no should’s, would’s, could’s. Simply, this existence, this awareness, this presence. And we rest in this, until we forget.

It might be days, months, years until we realize that we have forgotten. Forgotten what? Our self, that which we are. Yet, what is so close is ungraspable. In an attempt to find even the most basic words to touch the experience, the concept, the notion, the idea, the expression, it is all out of reach. Why?

Why can’t we touch on the simplest and most basic experience? I only remark simple and basic, as that which we are, seems like it would be known instantly upon sustained reflection and awareness. Yet, when I look inward, I can’t find anything. Maybe just some remnant thoughts drifting around, a feeling and urge here and there, perhaps the body aches some, the belly rumbles with hunger. Sure, I see these things.

But, is that all? These things have their place, of course, but what else, what more is there? All that I am, the full container and experience, that is what I want to give my undying attention to. Perhaps the notion, be here now, goes hand in hand with the question, who am I.

It seems we have some more work to do, but I take it as a worthwhile path to travel down, and together.