Fools

 There is a saying about living in the present moment:

Old fools live in the past.
New fools live in the future.

My "cloistered brothers," know this.  They have horrific pasts.  It would be devastating to live in their pasts.  What good would it do?  They can't fix it?  Learn from it, adjust, and move forward.

The future is a worry.  Dreaming about a future is OK if you know it's just a dream; you can't live in dreams.  That would be foolish.

What's left.  The present is what's left.  Conscious awareness is vital. We must observe the present situation we find ourselves in.  Appreciate it.  Use it.  See its beauty; its good; its truth.  Is it enjoyable?  Then rest in it.  If not--adjust.  Does breathing reduce the pain?  Does singing help?  Talk to God.

Overriding distractions and adjusting to resting in peace takes practice.  Think of  eating a cookie. Don't gobble it up.  Hold it in your hand and gaze upon it.  Does it look good.  What kind is it?  Smell it.  Take a small bite.  Chew it slowly and swallow.  What do you think?  Take another small bite.  Was that bite tastier than the first bite?  Are you enjoying this cookie?

It's not a real cookie but you are focused on the cookie.  The same is being in the present moment.  Focus on your body in your surroundings.  Feel it bit by bit.  Eventually, you are enjoying the moment just like you enjoyed that imaginary cookie. Rest in the present moment.

Where is the Narrow Gate?

Enter by the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who enter that way.  How narrow the gate and close the way that leads to life!  And few there are who find it. Matt. 7: 13-14

Fr. Damian, who celebrated Mass at the Abbey, this morning, said that he thinks the “narrow gate,” is the present moment.  Thinking of the past, i.e., it’s hurts, broken dreams, and wishes never fulfilled, will not only lead you into depression, it is a real distraction from your present.  And thinking of the future is really silly.  It doesn't exist.  It’s a concept.  It’s a waste of time because it may never be.

Why is it so difficult, to be satisfied with the here and now?  Personally, I blame Satan.  He is always showing us where we failed in the past.  He makes sure the hurt is in the forefront.  He won't let go, and the past is always a monkey on our back.  Satan uses the past to cause anxiety about the future.  Satan gives the worst predictions and we worry that they might be true.

Satan drives us crazy.  We need to trust in God.  We came through the past, and we’ll always come through.  Let God do the worrying; He’s in charge. 

Lately, I’ve been using my mantra.  I sit quietly and concentrate on calming my breathing.  I pray while inhaling , “All is passing.”  Then I exhale, and pray, “God, alone abiding.”

This brings me to the narrow gate.