Here and Now
The practice of being fully present in the current moment. In Maya Mandala's system, the here and now is where life happens and where change becomes possible.
- Term
- Here and Now
- Category
- Core State
- Related Concepts
- Presence, Awareness, Being Here, Inner Silence, Attention, Mindfulness
- Level
- All Levels
What Here and Now Means
The here and now is this moment — right here, right now. It sounds simple, and it is. Yet much of the time, your attention is somewhere else: planning, remembering, worrying, imagining. The here and now is the only place where you are actually alive.
In Maya Mandala's teaching, the body is the gateway to the here and now. Thoughts pull you into past and future. The body is always in the present. By bringing attention to the body, you arrive in the only moment that exists.
Common Misconceptions
Most people are naturally present most of the time
Much of the time, attention drifts into planning, remembering, worrying, or imagining.
Being present requires complex technique or years of training
Presence can start simply: the body is always in the present moment, so feeling your breath or your feet brings you here.
Related Concepts
In Maya Mandala's Self-Discovery Dictionary, this concept connects to other terms:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does here and now mean?
It means being fully present in this moment, awake to what is happening right now instead of lost in thoughts about the past or future.
Why is the here and now important?
Because the past is gone, the future has not arrived, and this moment is all there is. In this view, much suffering comes from being somewhere other than here.
How do I practice being here and now?
Bring your attention to your body. Feel your breath. Sense your feet on the ground. The body is always in the present. When you feel your body, you are here.
How does Maya Mandala teach this?
Maya teaches this through two parallel doors: movement and guided seated meditation. In movement practices like Mandala Dance, attention is anchored in the moving body, and when you dance with awareness it is hard to be anywhere but here. In guided seated meditation, attention follows Maya's voice inward.
Is it possible to be in the here and now all the time?
For most people, no — and that is not the goal. The practice is to keep returning. Each return builds the capacity for presence.
Programs for Deep Inner Work
Practices that help you approach this topic with awareness.
Unfolding of Higher Abilities
Developing awareness, intuition, and the ability to see the whole picture.
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Mandala Dance. Level 1
A retreat exploring embodied movement, presence, and creative expression through Maya's signature Mandala Dance method.
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