When we worry about the future or ruminate over the past we create only suffering in ourselves. Right? However, our ego argues with this innate knowledge of how suffering occurs and resists letting go of thoughts about past events or created stories and fictionalized speculations about what might occur in the future.
When learning how to stay in the present moment, the ego comes up with amazing contretemps. Here are some I have encountered in myself, and by way of others, as I continue to learn about awareness and presence in this life …
1. But it really happened! How can I help thinking of it now?
The past seems to be part of a continuum of reality, dotted with situations and events strung together to form a path, a story, of my/your life. The events were “real” so how could it be that they are not still real? What would we be if we didn’t have our history?
2. But the situation was somehow negative & I need to fix it, or, they need to fix it!
Basically, I can’t rest until I get some resolution. Maybe an apology (from me, or, to me). Or, maybe something needs to be rectified, justified, or avenged. Why? is it possible to allow negative energy, emotions, feelings to linger between two (or more) people, or within oneself about a situation? Is it ok? What’s that problem with wanting to fix it?
3. I can t help what I think.
Really? Is it not possible to alter what or how you think about a situation? Does this spontaneous thinking somehow serve us? Thoughts just come into my mind, so aren’t they part of how we live & survive?