Staying in the Present

• Increase positive energy

• Reduce unproductive thoughts about the past and future

1. Being Present is a life skill

2. Posture is important for staying present

   • Keep your spine straight and your head and shoulders balanced

   • ‘Centre’ your awareness, your sense of ‘I’, at a point in your spine

   • Note how when you think of the past, you might slump forward or tilt your head

   • Note how you are worried about the future, you might slump forward, for example, with your head in your hands

   • To stay present, sit straight

3. When you are in the present you can observe things. You are intensely aware of everything around you and within you

4. Here is a visualisation for staying in the present:

   • Visualise a tall tree

   • Visualise yourself sitting, balanced on top of the tree

   • Sitting on the tree you have perspective. You can observe all around you

   • If you think of the past, the tree bends backwards and you might fall off

   • If you think of the future, the tree bends forwards and you might off

   • Sit perfectly balanced on this tall tree, in the present

   • Practice for 3 to 5 minutes