Peace

"Once you have made peace with the present moment, see what happens, what you can do or choose to do, or rather what life does through you."

 —Eckhart Tolle

In my mid-30s, I experienced clinical depression for the first time. I'd say it was scary, but that's only in hindsight. In the moment, I was so numb I didn't feel much of anything. The change in my outlook, the lethargy, and my husband's gentle prompting led me to seek out a therapist for the first time.

One session has stayed with me for over a decade and planted the seed for the yoga training I would later pursue.

Sitting in his office, my therapist asked me to think about my past, allowing me several minutes to wander down those old streets and experiences. Then he asked me to think about my future, and again gave me time to contemplate what might happen. Finally, he asked me to be fully present in the present moment.

Immediately, I took a deep breath and sighed.

He chuckled knowingly. When he saw my perplexed expression, he explained that my reaction happens over and over again with clients. When asked to consider the past or future, we often hold our breath. But when we intentionally come into the present moment, we breathe more deeply.

Fascinating.

I see this reality everywhere. Some of us lean into the future—always thinking about the next task, the unfinished project. We lean forward in our chairs, rush even when walking the dog. Others replay the past—rewording responses, second-guessing decisions, caught in regret. We slump, walk with eyes downcast.

We all vacillate between past and future, sometimes minute by minute. As Tolle reminds us, it's only in the present that we can choose.

Imagine gathering all your senses—like a retractable cord—from past and future. ZIP. Right here into the present moment. Breathe deeply, filling your belly, exhaling a long audible sigh.

Here is the present moment. Can you be at peace to choose your next step?

A Practice for Peace

Take out a yoga mat or blanket and lay it on the floor. Imagine it's the timeline of your life: the right edge is your past, the left edge is your future.

Stand "in the past" on the right edge. As you think about past decisions, jobs, relationships, notice your breath. Are you holding it? Has it become shallow?

Move to "your future" on the left edge. Where do you see yourself? What has changed? Is it clear or clouded? Notice your breath again.

Now take a deep breath and step into the center—the present moment. Imagine roots growing from your feet deep into the earth, grounding you here. Roll your shoulders. Soften your face.

Can you be at peace here and now, in this room, with your specific circumstances?

Keep breathing. From this place of peace, what would you choose?

May you find peace in this present moment.