Clearing and being present

I attended a workshop called Sacred Commerce a couple of weeks ago, and since have been practicing daily to "get present." That is, to be in the present moment--focused on being here, now. The workshop leaders, Mathew and Terces Engelhart who founded Cafe Gratitude, talked about how when our minds are focused in the past we feel regret and guilt, and when we're focused in the future, we can feel fear and anxiety. So hey! I like the feeling of being present far better than feeling regret, guilt, anxiety and fear. I'm finding that getting "clear" and focusing on the present is quite freeing, and is bringing me a sense of peace and purposefulness to each day.

Want to try it yourself? This clearing process requires a buddy, and can be done in person or on the phone. Takes about 30 minutes to clear both of you.

Start with a "shadow" question--shadows are the thoughts that keep us from being in the present moment.

Some example shadow questions:

What is a thought or belief that is limiting you?
What version of something's wrong are you telling yourself right now?
Who are you feeling disconnected from?

Take turns asking the shadow question of each other. Then, fully listening to your partner, reflect back what he/she said. It goes something like this:

Person A: What is a thought or belief that is limiting you?
Person B: What's coming up is that I think there's not enough time in the day. My to-do list always feels like it's more than I can do.
Person A: So, what I hear you saying is is that you think there's not enough time in the day. And your to-do list feels like more than you can do.

Then, ask your partner how this "shadow" makes them feel.

Person A: So when you're present with this thought that there's not enough time in the day, what does that feel like?
Person B: I feel overwhelmed. Defeated before I even begin. Like, why try? It feels heavy.

Reflect back:

Person A: So I hear you saying that this makes you feel overwhelmed, heavy and defeated.
Person B: Yes, that's how it feels.

Notice there's no fixing. Person A offers no ideas, solutions or offers to assist. The power is in Person B bringing forward what thoughts/beliefs are in limiting him/her. Throwing in your own ideas of how to solve this only anchors a person in their circumstances. Instead in this process, there's an inherent acknowledgement that we each are already whole, complete, and perfect. We're just "in our story." And by "clearing" the shadows we open fully to being whole, complete and perfect in this moment, on our own. We focus on our consciousness, where we have ultimate control. Powerful!

Next, you ask/answer a question to shift out of the shadow. This is the opportunity to create someting new, to become present, to love your life.

Examples:

What new possibility are you present to?
What are you grateful for?
What do you love about the world?
Where are you feeling fulfilled?

Take turns reflecting back. Thank your partner for sharing and getting present with you!

I encourage you to try this practice of clearing, and see what unfolds for you!

If you'd like a steady stream of daily questions for clearing, Cafe Gratitude has a Google group that you can join to get the questions of the day. They're awesome! Here's a link: Cafe Gratitude Question of the Day.

Best to you today!

Tamara