We are living in difficult times. We are in the throes of a financial, environmental and social crisis, which we have brought upon ourselves, as a result of our unconsciousness. But a crisis is also an opportunity. It depends on how we respond.

Greed and self interest prevail upon this planet. Unconsciousness prevails. The way of the ego prevails. We believe in our beliefs, which then define us and limit us. We live in a remembered past or an imagined future, and we miss the only life that is really available to us, which is the present moment. We are constantly absorbed in thought and we do not realize that we are lost in illusion, nor do we have any sense of the implications of that simple truth.

We are the dreamers, dreaming that we are awake?

What will it take for us to awaken. What will it take to shake us out of our dream?

I have observed over the years that very few people have any interest in awakening from a happy dream. If things are going well, and the stock market is booming, and life is full of happy memories and a promising future, why would anyone choose to wake up out of that dream? I have also observed that when the dream becomes unbearable and full of suffering, most people simply try to change the dream. They live in the hope of a happier dream. They too have little interest in awakening from the dream.

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Question: How do we remain present in our day to day living?

Leonard’s Answer: To be present in day to day living is as simple as being present with whatever is before you, moment to moment. It does not matter what you are present with. Just notice when you are day dreaming or drifting off into thought and then come back to the present moment. Bring yourself very present with something that is here in the moment with you. If you can see it, hear it, feel it, taste it, touch it or smell it, in this moment, then you can be present with it. And the moment you are truly present with something that is here in the moment with you, thoughts will stop. You will emerge out of the past and future world of the mind. Now you are awake in the truth of life, revealed through the present moment. As you deepen into Presence, you will begin to feel the Oneness.

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