September 11-C, 2022

We cannot be in this moment here/now
and be thinking about,
engaged with,
in,
some other moment,
past or future.

To be here/now
is to be here/now.
Period.

Empty of everything
but what is happening here/now.

How often are you ever there?
For how long?

How long can you be here/now?
Before shifting over
to some other place to be?

This moment has to be the only moment
if we are going to offer here
what the moment needs from us.

We cannot do that absent-mindedly.
We cannot be somewhere else
and do here what needs to be done,
when, where, and how it needs to be done.

Do you want your dentist to fill a cavity
while watching TV?

It takes practice
to be still, silent, and empty
in order to be here/now,
present, open, aware of
what is happening
and what needs to be done about it,
moment by moment,
in each situation as it arises.

What is the nature of your practice?
How often do you practice?
For how long?

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