Planning or Presence


From a mystic’s point of view, living in the present moment may be essential. From a householder’s or business person’s point of view, setting goals and working toward the future may be paramount. There seems to be a disagreement here about where to focus one’s attention. The sage sees the typical person eaten up with regrets about the past and fears of the future and knows that the present moment is all we really have, and that if we don’t attend to it, we lose ourselves in craving and aversion, which are the roots of suffering. Yet a practical person knows that a family needs to be fed, housed and educated. In order to do those things, one must plan for the future.


This is one of the reasons mystics have tended to be celibate. The demands of family and the everyday world draw one out of quiet reflection into distraction. An ascetic lifestyle fosters a detachment from the things of the world that divert attention from the prime spiritual goal. In the past, it was often felt that some people should go off to monasteries and others should stay in town. The monks should pursue their spiritual life and the towns people should tend to family and business. Now, we tend to think that a spiritual life and life in the world need not be separate.

Living a spiritual life while remaining engaged with family and work is a challenge. Perhaps it is a compromise, but it can be seen as a path as valid as any on the spiritual journey. One must ask though, how do I remain engaged in my spirituality while managing the demands of the world?

Some elements of the practice might be:

When I make plans, I am making plans. When I am not, I am not.

I will not get lost in worry. I will not confuse worry with problem solving. I will remember to bring my attention back to the present when thinking about the future or past is not useful.

I learn from the past, but I do not live there. Regret and holding grievances take me out of the present. Acceptance and forgiving bring me back.


I have goals to guide me, not to obsess me. My goals are flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.


My present centered awareness allows me to sense opportunity and respond to new conditions.


I seek to be empowered by the flow of life. Rather than exerting my will against the flow, I skillfully maneuver with the current.


I practice intentional placement of attention. I focus on that which is helpful and wholesome. I remove my attention from the content of my thoughts that is likely to generate more suffering for myself or others.


I cultivate wisdom so that I may discern good from bad. To that end I honor both reason and emotion and respect the limits of each.


I find time for quiet contemplation so that I can better know myself and be sensitive to the forces and movements around me.


Back to the Interlude Home Page

[ HOME ][ THOUGHT ][ ARCHIVE ][ PRAYERS ]
[ POETRY ]
[ LINKS ][ BOOKSHOP ]

© 2009 Tom Barrett