Sacred Space: Spring, Oprah, and Eckhart Tolle

by Rev. Louisa A. Dyer, MA

“When things go wrong, don’t go with them.”

These words that I saw on a marquee really summed up the power each of us has to be happy or miserable.  “Things” will always happen that could be disturbing – yet we have choices about how we respond, and those choices determine, in large part, whether we feel good or bad.

This may sound simplistic, yet psychology, spirituality, physics, holistic and eastern healing methods, and even western medicine now agree that it is so.  In part it’s about positive thinking, about finding something to appreciate in every situation.  More than that, though, being able to choose how we respond depends on how present or conscious we are – how alert, calm and aware.

When we get lost in thinking about the past or the future, we are not present – not aware of this moment and who we are in it, and therefore unable to choose our responses.  Instead, we react based on past conditioning.  So how to become more present?  If you like to read, again I’ll recommend Eckhart Tolle’s latest book, A New Earth, Discovering Your Life’s Purpose. 

Millions of people, globally, have just participated in a 10-week online class taught by Eckhart and Oprah about this book - a truly phenomenal experience.  You can also download the classes, for free, at Oprah.com or through iTunes.  The book and the classes are about learning to be truly happy – which happens only when we are present instead of lost in past conditioning. 

You’ve probably heard it before, and if you’ve tried it, you know that consciously breathing is an excellent tool.  As Eckhart says, one conscious breath is a meditation.  Taking one frequently brings more Presence into your life and begins to open a space within you for happiness to abide.

An exercise I’ve used to connect more easily with Presence is written below.  My suggestion is that you record it, giving lots of pauses so you have plenty of time to go within and discover the Presence you are, beyond thoughts and feelings.

“Take a few deep cleansing breaths – in through the nose and out through the mouth, blowing out and letting go any tension in the body.  Mentally state your willingness to let go thoughts, about the past, and about the future, and to come more fully present into this moment.  One of the easiest ways to do this is by noticing the body.

Pay attention to how your body feels.  Notice any sounds the body hears….any smells in the air…the air on your skin.  Feel the surface beneath you, noticing all the places where your body touches that surface, and all the places it doesn’t.   Give your body permission to accept the support this surface is offering you.  You can realize that you are fully supported, simply for being right where you are, and the body can feel it, every time you allow it.

Now begin to notice how air moves in and out of the body.  Pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing – how the chest and stomach naturally rise and fall.  Just notice each breath…and as you do, you automatically become more present.  It’s a feeling of moving inward, into the center of your own being. 

Just keep noticing each breath until you are resting, at peace in Presence.  If thoughts of the past or the future take you out of the present moment, that’s ok, just notice them, then return your attention to each breath in, each breath out, until you are centered once more.” 

Welcome to your true essence.

You may contact Louisa Dyer through www.louisadyer.com or www.louisadyer.net, by email, louisadyer@charter.net, or at 828-658-1280.