One very practical reason to try to remain centred and fully in the present moment is that it helps against depression. Behind all depression is an overwhelming sense of hopelessness...of feeling that you have no control over your life, your experience or the world around you.
Aside from those few cases of genuine chemical imbalance in the brain, depression generally results from a combination of two things: past feelings of helplessness plus the expectation of helplessness in the future. Somewhere in the past, we learned that we cannot influence the world around us, and we forsee a future in which we still will not be able to influence the world.
On the other hand, when we are centred in the present moment, we let go of both the past and the future, and for that while, we are therefore free of the sources of our depression.
The only thing to hold you back then is your own belief in depression. If you believe you are doomed to depression no matter what, your belief will come true.
So if you suffer from depression, mild or severe, give being in the NOW a try. It's not hard, but it does require a definite shift in your thinking. Even if just for a few moments, allow yourself to let go of all that you believe about yourself and the world, to empty your mind of thoughts, and just observe.
In those few moments, the veil that separates your surface mind from the deep calm mind that is really you will become thinner, and you may glimpse what lies beyond it. After even a few tries, you may begin to recognise that there is no veil other than your own thoughts and beliefs.
and into an awareness of your own immense power to create your life.
No anti-depressant can give you this power or this freedom. Never. In fact, a study conducted by several universities concluded that anti-depressants had no noticeable benefit except in the most extreme cases of depression. And according to the Vice
President of The Swedish Psychiatric Association and other mental health experts, anti-depressants make most people even more depressed, and have been known to trigger suicidal thoughts.
Don't you think that being fully in the present, with no thought of the past or future, is worth a try?
I know what I'm talking about, because it is what finally lifted me out of a four year depression, long before Eckhart Tolle wrote his book on the power of now.
Have faith. Let go of doubt and fear. Be fully in whatever you are doing: breathing, walking, washing the dishes...no matter. For a while, be an observer and form no opinions about anything. There is nothing else you have to do.
Tosca