Dr P R Datta
We all should focus and concentrate on the present time or activities, not the fruits of the action. Each of us should appreciate and cherish the eternal present and know that we must not squander the time we have now and the qualities we have been blessed with. It is imperative to live a purposeful now, one that requires positive action and commitment. Now is the best time to afford a way forward, which involves effort sooner rather than later, which underscore the core message of an influential work such as Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. Equally, the importance of reflection brings to mind a short story by Leo Tolstoy entitled: The Three Questions in which the following three questions play a central role: (a) Who is the right person to listen to? (b) What is the most important thing to be doing at any given time? (c) What is the right time to begin anything?
If we ask these questions to people, we may have different responses from each one. This is my habit that anytime I teach a new group of students, I start with Leo-Tolstoy, and is typical for me for the past 20 years to ask these questions and wait for their reply. Students find it very interesting, and they bring their responses, some with their philosophical tone while some with balanced responses. Responses are different naturally, including my mum, father, children, husband or wife, God, or myself. These are the response to the first question (who is the best person to you?). There is no surprise to these responses. Anyone will do the same way. What about the second question? (The most important thing to be doing?). I am sure you all can guess the responses. Students chose the job they aspire to, such as management job with MNCs, nurse, accountants, entrepreneurs, be my own boss, or some students may be more balanced and diplomatic to say that the job will make you happy. But what will make them happy? Again, they will come with the idea of top tier jobs. In responses to the third questions (when is the best time?), students will say my childhood was the best as I was free to play or when I finished my degree qualification. When I visited some interesting places in the past, others will say my last vacation time, when I become a famous businessman. To my surprise, some will say now is the best time, Sir.
This is not morally right that we all live a life searching for ego gratification, promoting self-ness and seeing the world around us in terms of “me” and “them”. We all should appreciate the beauty of now, live graciously and peacefully in life now, think in the now, focus on now and do not sink in the memories of the past glory or future illusion. The past is the past. Learn from the past but do not stuck in the past. Think about the future but do not become obsessed about it; focus on the now and when the time comes reap the fruits of your hard work. This will be your priority; concentrate, think and become oblivious by concentrating on present activities. Mind is the most important and valuable resource for all of us. We all depend on our mind but never focus on it. Do you use your mind appropriately as required: I am not saying whether you use your mind badly rather you do not think about your mind, you do not use it at all? You are used by your mind. Your mind becomes your controller, it dictates you. This is serious, rotten and problematic. Bring you mind into the present.
Now is minuscule that is not describable; it is indescribable, interface between past and future. The precise moment is not possible to locate as it is very nanoscopic. There is no argument about it and to describe it. Defining now is not the core argument of this essay. The meaning is simple. Whatever you are doing now, thinking now, following now, observing now, anything is happening now means present moment. Focus on it. Do not think of it as a complex phenomenon, be simple and think simple. For example, if you are reading a book at the moment, focus on it; if you are with your family, taking dinner , focus on it, enjoy the fruits of your family dinner and let others enjoy the moment, cherish the now. When you are with your children, enjoy the moment with them, play with them, listen to them, make them joyous and happy, make the moment enjoyable, and fill it with tranquillity. As a doctor, when you are with your patients, listen to them carefully, attend to them, focus on them; this will enhance your better judgement. When you are teaching a group of students, be with them, make the lesson as enjoyable and productive as possible, make them your most influential people. This is all about now. Give priority to it, think about that moment and leave everything behind. You will become oblivious, and you will have better fruits from it, so you should not think about the fruits that are not yet strewed. Focusing on now will bring peace, calm and stillness. Thinking about the future, which is unknown to us, will bring stress, anxiety, and worry.
Many people are unhappy, stressed, regretful, and anxious despite looking for a peaceful and happy life. The reason is that they are all spending more time thinking about their past and planning for the future. We let our present moment skid away without realising a state of flow-eudemonic happiness. There are legitimate reasons why we should think about our future and learn from the past, but we should not allow these things to dictate our living. We should avoid consuming wrong & stress that may have profound health impact and cause others harm. We should not regret, feel guilt, sadness, or anxiety or show our displeasure and discontent because of our past deeds as long as we have learned something positive and realised our misdeeds.
The current world is very chaotic, contributing substantially to our stressful & disoriented life, huge distraction, mental fragmentation, and anxieties. Life is very frantic and busy. We all are obsessed with the past that has gone; we all are preoccupying our minds with the future that is unknown & illusive. When we do something in the present, we cannot focus because we dwell on intrusive memories of the past or fantasise about being on something special like events or parties etc. We think about the work of tomorrow and stressed ourselves. Our monkey minds are not stable, it is drifting from past to future, and we lose our present-a sad human behaviour.
Living in the moment is an intentional focus on the present, a state of mindfulness, active and open. A mindful state will help you to realise your potential to control your thoughts. You become a navigator of your thoughts, a controller not controlee that your thoughts control you. A state of mindfulness will help facilitate you to reduce anxieties, stress and uncertainties in your mind. In turn, you will feel the calm, peaceful and happy-a high state of flow-an eudaimonic happiness. In eudaimonic happiness, it is not all about pleasure, personal status or anxiety to become something we all aspire to; it is all about how we live our lives irrespective of our circumstances, being satisfied with the current situations and avoiding anxieties about what is not yet achieved, pleasure or utility all are monistic concepts; eudaimonia is the opposite of it. Accepting the current situation and focusing on it, we will achieve such eudaimonic happiness and peace. Accepting and focusing on present activities and task, a person can live self-sufficiently. An individual must cherish to live happily and virtually as a way of living.
In his book on the “Power of Now”, Eckhart Tolle asserted that “as soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness & struggle dissolve & life begins to flow with joy and ease”. It makes me recall the moments when I spent a couple of hours with my younger son each day to help him focus on his studies. It was a great time, and I continue to do this even as he is growing up. We enjoy the moment to focus on his academic matter and reinforce his positive behaviours, moral character, world views, politics to religions, storytelling all the way through to laughing alongside him. The time was significant and well connected to the present moment. At that moment we were the best person to each other’s and the task we used to do was the best. Therefore, we always feel a moment of heedless and joyous-a sense of upbeat. With our busy schedule between work and mountain life & family responsibilities, the time passed us by in the blink of an eye, unnoticed. Many parents do not spend time with their children; instead, they are happy to spend their time on social media, gossiping with others, or unproductive work activities. It is a fact that parents greatly influence children’s academic achievement, moral development, positive behaviour, and emotional well-being. Parents should spend more quality time with their children. Treat that time as the best time for you and your child. Treat the task as the best job you are doing and treat your child as the best person. You will see the fruits of your present.
The Writer is Executive Chair, Centre for Business & Economic Research, UK
