“What happens is not as important as being present for what happens.” Ronald Chapman

*****

A long-time friend in recovery was sharing with me the anxiety she was experiencing in preparing for a yoga class that would be heavily attended, many more students than she was accustomed to teaching. All those eyes that would be upon her were already making her nervous, even though she knew, as a highly skilled and experienced teacher, there was really very little risk.

We were bantering as we often do, kicking around a number of perspectives on how we learn and grow. And even more, an exploration of our fears.

At some point, I said, “You know, when you’re on a roller coaster the only difference between terror and exhilaration is the perspective and attitude you bring to the ride.”

There was a long pause, after which she asked me to repeat it. I did, then I added, “The line between anxiety and anticipation is a very fine one.”

She laughed and then all the anxiety she was feeling simply dropped away.

One of my teachers told me long ago that was always a sign that we had seen the truth.

I shared that with my friend as well. She told me I needed to write a blog about our experience. I agreed, and here we are.

Seeing True™

Eckhart Tolle says in his book, The Power of Now, that all of our struggles occur outside of the present moment. When we regress to the past, or project to the future, we fall prey to non-reality.

Another friend uses NOW as an acronym for No Other Way. Her mantra and reminder that the only solution is to come into the here and now.

To which I say, what happens is not as important as being present for what happens. When you’re on a roller coaster, the best experience is to be in the experience.

Seeing True™ in Action

For many, mantras such as those mentioned can be sufficient to keep us present. Others will need stronger practices like centering prayer, mindfulness or journaling. And still others may need a practitioner or teacher to work with us to learn how to stay in the now.

Any solution can be a good one. Yet, there is no solution without first understanding how we lose our way. That’s an exploration that all of us seem to need.