Now Is Not Flexible
It may seem cliché to say that "the only moment is now," but the profound truth of this statement should never be underestimated.
As my husband and I navigate a particularly challenging and very human time in our lives, the only way we’ve been able to maintain our sanity is by staying present—anchoring ourselves in the now moment, again and again. More than ever, I’m convinced that our suffering only exists when we dwell in regret over the past or project into the future, worrying about things that haven’t yet happened. Yes, I know this is a well-known concept, but there’s a vast difference between reading or contemplating it and actually living through the full experience.
Acceptance of what is—of the situation, of your feelings, and even of what you don’t yet know—is essential to maintaining your peace of mind in difficult times. Accepting the moment as it is allows you to stay present. This isn’t passive resignation; it’s the active choice to be fully present with reality as it unfolds.
The now is a powerful place to be. Yes, you might be experiencing physical pain in the moment, but even in that experience, staying with the pain is less agonizing than resisting it. What’s necessary to stay in the now is a disciplined focus, and this is what separates those who are truly practicing metaphysicians from those merely dabbling in the concepts of spirituality and manifestation. Those in full practice have cultivated a disciplined mind—a focused attention that allows them to consistently rally their awareness back to the present moment.
When I say that "now is not flexible," I mean this: all of your power—your true, spirit-ordained power, not the forceful kind that seeks control over others—is only available when you are fully present in the now. Your power does not exist in the past or the future; it is only accessible here, in this moment. Thank you, Ram Dass, for reminding us that true power lies in being here now.
