How to Tap Into the Magic of Now

"Life is now. It's all right now. Everything is now." - Abraham-Hicks

A vibrational shift is happening on our planet these days. Movies such as The Secret, What the Bleep and You Can Heal Your Life are becoming mainstream. Millions of people across the globe are tuning in to Oprah's webcast with Eckhart Tolle as well as her Soul Series; and hundreds of millions throughout the world are meditating on a daily basis. Whether this consciousness-raising can be attributed to the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the approach of the "Shift of the Ages" in 2012, or just a good idea whose time has come, we are experiencing a profound transformation in our collective consciousness. One of the best ways to align with the flow of this positive Energy stream is by being present and tapping into the Magic of Now.

How about you? Do you live in the present moment or is your monkey mind in charge, constantly running between memories of the past and thoughts of the future? Focusing on the past or future is not bad per se. In fact, you can use blissful memories as well as positive expectations to raise your vibration. The problem comes when you dwell exclusively in the past or the future and miss the only moment you ever have - Now.

When you become conscious of the present moment, you become aware of Who You Truly Are and you reconnect with your natural state of Well-Being. You feel intensely alive, peaceful, joyful, uplifted, and vibrant. You enjoy a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, a higher level of awareness and clarity. Free from mental chatter, you experience an inner stillness, a serene oneness with Source.

Living in the Magic of Now is a skill you can easily develop by consciously choosing to focus in the present moment. Here are some ways to become more present as you go about your daily life:

• Breathe! Become aware of your breathing and feel the aliveness within your body. Pause throughout the day and take several long, slow, deep breaths. After a few moments of conscious breathing, you're calmed, centered in the Now, and energized with a fresh infusion of Life Force Energy.
• Accept what-is. As you relax, allow, and accept each moment without judgment or resistance, you find joy, appreciation, and wisdom arising spontaneously. Acceptance of the present moment, no matter what you're facing, allows for a mindful response rather than a knee-jerk reaction.
• Give routine activities your full attention. Consciously practice being in the present moment when engaged in daily activities such as brushing your teeth, drinking a glass of water, or standing in line. Replace multi-tasking with complete attention to the current activity.
• Experience nature. When you have the opportunity to be in nature, allow yourself to be fully immersed in the moment. As you gaze upon a tree, a flower, the sky; as you listen to rain drops falling, birds chirping, leaves rustling, you'll feel the sacred oneness, the peace, the interconnectedness of all life.
• Be aware of your thoughts. Listen, as an observer, to the voice in your head, knowing you are not your thoughts. Become aware of a deeper, vaster dimension inside, which Eckhart Tolle calls stillness.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, and today is a gift. That's why they call it the present." - Eleanor Roosevelt

So how do you feel right now? If you feel joy, ease and lightness, you're present. Presence always feels good. In fact, it's not possible to be present and unhappy at the same time. There's no suffering in the Now. To tap into the Magic of Now is to live your entire life as a spiritual practice. To tap into the Magic of Now is to feel an extraordinary aliveness, the pure joy of Being. To tap into the Magic of Now is to greet each moment as a still, alert presence and experience the beauty, the wonder, the sacredness of all life.