“Nobody’s life is entirely free of pain and sorrow. Isn’t it a question to live with them rather than trying to avoid them?” - The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

As I read and absorb “The Power of Now” the words of each chapter are powerful and make perfect sense as I read them. But then I think of how to incorporate them in my daily life. It seems difficult to completely achieve being in the now at all times. These daily habits seem to be like regiment of exercises of the mind.

I believe in this world that is filled with humans, we rise and fall in a continuous loop. Pain is part of life but so is joy and growth. We attract what we give fuel to by focusing our minds and actions to a common goal. To be happy and life our lives to the fullest. But our minds go where they go without consciously steering it in that direction. Spiritual enlightenment emphasizes staying present. To be in the moment of what is happening a this particular time. To recognize what the universe is handing to me right now. To learn what needs to be learned. Not tomorrow or yesterday. We are talking right now.

Eckhart Tolle said, “The greatest part of human pain is unnecessary.” I had to think about that for a minute. I wonder, do he mean the all-consuming thoughts that haunt our minds? Triggers that access to flash backs of a past trauma. The unconscious mind, is that the unnecessary part?

I often sit and reflect on the beautiful memories and events in my life and wonder why they do not sprinkle glistening sparks of joy in my head more often. I wonder why, instead, things that trigger me float in? Why is my brain trained to go into this direction? This, to me, is the unnecessary part.

I break in down to that fact that some of my most haunting pain is caused by the loss of joyful memories I once experienced. Grief is one of these triggers. I am homesick for what once was. The second part of the beginning quote said, “Isn’t it a question to live with them (pain and sorrow) rather than try to avoid them?