Surprising ways to feel the "present moment"

Hello.

Whether it's the high-stress environment of a crowded train or a situation where you have to speak in front of others, there are moments when we are forced to place ourselves in "stressful" environments.

Ultimately, this is a state of running away from the "now," and I feel it is very difficult to feel the "present moment" under such circumstances.

Even so, when trying to change the situation, you might find yourself thinking, "How?" or "What should I do?," which can end up causing even more stress.

Methods such as focusing on your breathing or concentrating on physical sensations are often introduced as ways to feel the "present moment."

However, I think there are quite a few people who don't find these so-called common methods to be very effective.

Today, I would like to introduce two methods that are simpler and surprisingly effective.

When you have to be in a place you dislike or do something you don't want to do, I will share the "One Heart" way to escape from a high-stress state, even if just a little, and ease your mind.

I really dislike crowded trains, and I want to take the emptiest route possible, but that is quite difficult in the Kanto region.
However, when I am in a situation where I absolutely must travel on a crowded train, I always use this method to face my own mind.

I hope this provides you with a little bit of a hint.

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Engage in meaningless actions

To focus on the "present moment," you sometimes need to be conscious of "not using your head."

Normally, our brains are obsessed with meaningful actions or results, and we are always thinking about the past or the future.

Therefore, by intentionally performing "meaningless actions," the brain stops wondering "why am I doing this?" and you can naturally return to the "present moment."

Let me give you some examples.

• Scribble meaninglessly on paper
Get a piece of paper and a pen, and without deciding what to write, just try drawing lines or swirling circles.

At first, you might feel, "What am I doing?" or "Is there any point in doing something so useless?" but if you continue for a while, your focus will shift to the "sensation in your hand," unnecessary thoughts will disappear, and things will become quiet.

• Touch small objects
Hold a marble or a small stone in your hand, and try rolling it lightly or spinning it around on the desk.
By touching an "object" right in front of you and simply enjoying that sensation, you will be able to direct your consciousness to the "present moment."

The key is to not think about anything in particular and focus only on the "sensation of touching."

By trying these "meaningless actions," your brain will gradually touch the "now," and unnecessary distracting thoughts will fade away.

Savor the state of "being here right now without thinking about anything."

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Staring intently at what is in front of you

Another way to focus on the "present moment" is to stare intently at something in front of you.

We usually think unconsciously about the meaning, purpose, or background of things and scenery when we look at them.

By intentionally performing the act of "looking" without "seeking meaning or purpose," you make it easier to direct your consciousness to the "present moment."

Let me give you an example.

・Choose one thing and keep looking at it
Choose one thing, such as a pen on your desk or a leaf outside the window, and stare at it with a clear mind.

Just feel the shape, color, and movement of that object, and continue to just "look" without inserting any interpretations or thoughts.

At this time, it is important to just gaze at it, no matter how small it is.

In a crowded train, you could focus on a swaying keychain on the bag of the person in front of you, a bag logo, or a single character in an advertisement...

Also, be careful not to look around people's faces, as you might be seen as a suspicious person. In a crowded train, looking down might make you feel worse, so I think it is better to look straight ahead or slightly upward as much as possible.
Also, in a crowded train, looking down might make you feel worse, so I think it is better to look straight ahead or slightly upward as much as possible.

Gradually, distracting thoughts will disappear, and the act of purely "looking" will create a meditative state, and I think you will naturally feel the sensation of being in the "present moment."

I deal with the high stress of a crowded train by focusing on what is right in front of me.

If I just stare blankly at the cute charm on the backpack of the person standing in front of me, time passes in a flash and the wait until the next station feels much shorter.

Feeling the "present moment" doesn't require any special techniques; it can be easily achieved just by performing simple actions in your daily life.

By "doing something meaningless," you can free yourself from unnecessary thoughts, and by "staring intently at something in front of you," you can gain a sense of momentary focus.

Also, as I wrote at the beginning of this note, common methods include simply being aware of your breathing—exhaling and inhaling—or focusing on a part of your body (for example, when standing on a train, focusing on the soles of your feet as you brace yourself can also be effective).

When focusing on your breathing or a part of your body, do not judge or try to control it; just be aware of it.

Controlling your breathing can sometimes cause extra stress for some people, so just being aware of it is enough.

I think this method can also be used when waiting, when you have to sit for a long time, or when you are standing in line.
When you feel stressed, please try these methods.

I hope this helps lighten your heart a little while you are in that situation...

Please enjoy the moments of purely feeling the "here and now."

Please have a day filled with "love" today as well.