Presence
To the degree we are present, there is no fear.
(Peter Ralston)
Meditation
Many people talk about meditation or claim to do meditation. Yet,
meditation is not an activity.
It is presence.
Presence
There is nothing mystical about 'presence'.
It is simply a condition of awareness whereby you are rooted in the immediate
moment rather than absorbed in thought or memory.
In order to do anything wholeheartedly you need to be present, not daydreaming
or 'spacing out'.
Activities
Certain activities can help a person gain presence.
These are not 'meditation'.
They are simply activities or exercises that encourage you to be conscious of
the 'here and now'.
Ultimately, everything that you do should help to bring your mind back to
reality; whether it is washing dishes, walking on the beach or sitting quietly.
The activity itself is not important - it simply serves to initiate the
condition of presence.
If you come to rely upon the activity, this is a mistake.
Having 'presence'
Presence can be seen in a different way...
Some people seem to have 'presence'. They exude a notable air of security and
calm.
These people quietly walk through life in a comfortable, natural way.
They are unaffected and genuine.
There is no conflict or aggression in their manner. Just gentle humour and
grace.
Ed Parker
says, "The only reason men fight is because they are insecure; one man needs to
prove that he is better or stronger than another. The man who is
secure within himself has no need to prove anything with force, so he can walk
away from a fight with dignity and pride. He is the true martial artist - a man
so strong inside that he has no need to demonstrate his power."
The Chinese word for this kind of confidence is 'sai', which can be defined as
'presence'.
(Joe Hyams)
Page created 18 September 1995