Authentic Presence

We can cultivate an authentic presence. We can give ourselves time in which to make a commitment to be as true, honest, and real as we can be — it could be for one hour a day or one day a week or month. During this time, we can try to remain centered and grounded in our actual moment-to-moment experience and follow the following suggestions:

Be natural. Feel free enough and unencumbered enough, unselfconscious enough to just be yourself, without airs or anxiety.

Be simple. Keep your language straightforward and your dealings with yourself and others as simple as possible.

Loosen your tendency to control. Resist the impulse to unnecessarily interfere with outcomes. Don't struggle so much to make things happen the way you want them to. Let others be. Let yourself be. Let it be.

Be authentic. Put your stories aside. Try to become like a child. Experience everything anew.

Stay open to the world around you. Be inclusive and accepting. Try not to be so judgmental. Invite and allow.

Stay aware. Pay attention. Be mindful of your experience moment by moment.

Stay wise. Practice letting go of the extraneous, of old hurts and angers, judgments and attitudes. Cultivate a fresh perspective.

Be spontaneous. Let your energy flow naturally.

Public domain text from: http://www.surya.org/ask4.html