Dear Meli,

I’m involved in a spiritual community where they talk a lot about manifesting things. It’s pretty cool, and I’ve had a lot of success with it. But here’s the thing. When I first joined the community, I was really into the practice of Eckhart Tolle’s work in The Power of Now. It was really impactful for me, and was improving my life in many ways. But since I’ve joined this community, I find that I’m thinking more about the future with all my work on manifestation. Do I want to live in the present or the future? Can I do both? What do you think?

Presently Perplexed

Dear Present,

What a deep and wonderful question! Thank you so much for writing about this.

Yes. I say yes. Both.

Living in the Present is always the best thing we can do for the now, and for our future! And, as I know you know, sending love ahead of you to your future, with intent for certain experiences, has power in it as well.

In reality, it’s all Now. The future we’re co-creating, and the work and practice to co-create that future, is being done now. And the vibration of energy you’re putting out is changing you now. And that change or shift in you now alters the course of things. So, really, there is no “future.”

But I, too, have found the practice and play of co-creating with Spirit to be incredibly fun and fulfilling. I have had so many experiences of magical unfoldings that I believe are the direct result of that work. It’s been fun to watch my life unfold into an amazing, rich, love-filled and joyful experience as a result.

For me, the dance between co-creating my future and living in the now goes a little like this:

1) I have a daily personal practice of feeling into the best version of me, and my life, for the future. The most important aspect of this practice is that I get myself to feel the gratitude, peace, and joy that I am wanting to experience regarding the area of life I’m focusing on. But I am imagining myself already having the experience. In other words, I am in that future as the now.

The more successfully I can embody those feelings in regards to each of those areas of my life, the more powerful the energy vibration I am emanating. Whether the emanation is through my body or out into the Universe doesn’t matter. (I personally believe it’s both.) What matters is that I feel the immense fulfillment of the dream as though it is already complete! (As in, it is now!)

2) The rest of my day, I practice being in the Now moment. As deeply as possible.

If I catch myself saying something to someone, or to myself, that reveals any belief that I won’t experience the dream, or is an obvious contradiction to what I want to be welcoming into my life, I stop and tap back into the feeling from my morning practice. Otherwise, I practice being fully present with whatever it is I might be doing.

If I’m alone at some point, waiting for someone or an appointment, driving, or some such thing, I sometimes tap back into the feelings in my practice again. Or when I use the bathroom, I might look in the mirror and do a high five, imagining I just had an experience I feel great about. Or I do a happy dance for some small thing I’ve accomplished that is a step toward the dream becoming fully realized.

These are little moments in my day when I can practice, again, being in alignment with my dreams. But mostly, throughout my day, I practice Being Present.

3) Many of the dreams I am imagining in my practice will have opportunities throughout my day. There may well be actions I need to take to help the dream come to be. It’s not as likely I’ll find my perfect new dream home without ever looking out in the world. Greater health won’t come without my altering habits with food and movement.

So in the process of practicing imagining my future experience, I notice what might be the specific action steps I need to take to help it along. I decide which one(s) I can implement first, and attach them to some other habit.

Of course, I have to stay present enough to remember to implement the new habit after the existing one. So, once again, this is being Present in honor of the Future I intend to co-create.

And, of course,

4) All along the way, remaining aware and conscious of any inner-dialogue that points to my disbelief. This is most definitely going to be better the more Present I am able to remain throughout my day! I take note of any part of me that doesn’t believe I deserve it. Or maybe my goal is big and scary and I need to break it down into smaller chunks.

Tracking my emotions is key. And then using them as information to reveal where the blocks might be. This gives me great information to work with in order to free old beliefs and embrace the self-confidence necessary to move forward toward my goals. This kind of detail only reveals itself when one is here in this moment, paying attention.

So, does this mean I’m saying you should be in future-focus? Or the Present?

Yes! Tee hee…

I’m suggesting it’s a dance. Allow your dreams to lead you. Allow your desired future to pull you to a practice that creates that future. And commit to today’s choices and actions. As you do so, remain fully Present to the information available in this now moment.

And don’t forget to appreciate all the great, big, beautiful gifts that are already here. In the Now!

Hope this helps.

In Joy,

Melissa

What is your experience with manifestation and staying in the now? Share your comments below!

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