My friend Ray lives on the other side of the world. He lives in a bustling city where it is difficult for one to find a quiet area and experience nature. After some thought on the subject of meditation in nature, he discovered his sanctuary on his building rooftop where he can see a beautiful mountain in the distance. He told me that his city is actually surrounded by many scenic mountains and all it takes is an easy jaunt out of the city for a nice day's hike and breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, he does not get much time to do this. Life is so busy. Like Ray, many of us don't take the many opportunities we actually have available to us to explore nature as we should.
Ray described his "Presencing" practice conversation as letting go from "worldly concerns" and being in the now, the present. As his conversation with his person progressed, he continued to "cut out the noise". To me, this shows a real focus on being aware of what is going on, pushing out those niggling thoughts and concentrating on what is right in from of him. When I asked Ray what he thought it meant to be focusing on his "future self", he replied that it could be about preventing any assumptions about what is happening now and what the future could be. It's letting the conversation flow where it may, not controlling it. He described it as stepping back from "the controls" and not being the driving force.
Ray has a firm grasp on what it means to be present. I asked him if he found any part of this exercise to be difficult and he only answered that it can be a struggle because it goes against the way we are used to interacting. Wise words, Ray. Enjoy that roof top view and go hiking, will you?!
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