Presence

As I continue to consider Fundamental Principles, I am certain that presence is one of them. It is literally true that the current moment is all that exists, not the past, not the future. There is no reason to become preoccupied with, or perseverate on, either. The only useful role they play are as tools. We can learn from the past and course-correct in the direction of a desired future, both of which we only do in the present. The principle of presence is to focus solely on what you can control, and that lies squarely within the current moment.

To have presence, you must develop the essential skill of being aware of your own mind. We are not our thoughts. Thoughts simply appear. The trouble comes when we identify with them, failing to separate that which is aware from the fantasy. Our minds are biased toward survival, so they are always preparing for and rehearsing the worst. If left to run on autopilot, the mind will skew negative.

Instead, when you are aware of your mind, remaining rooted firmly in the present, you gain the ability to steer your thoughts, redirecting them toward creating your life and solving problems. This shifts the emotional tone of your life in a more positive direction. The more you do this, the more positive life feels. You are picking up your problems and the events of your daily life by the right handle.You are orienting your mind properly, toward what it does best and how it can help you live an Individual Good Life.

Once you are present and your mind is properly oriented, you can begin to go with its flow, using intuition to guide your focus and your next actions.