Shannon Duncan - Present Moment Awareness: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Living in the Now

PRESENT
MOMENT
AWARENESS

Copyright 2001, 2003 by Shannon Duncan
First paperback printing, September 2004

Cover design: Mary Ann Casler
Interior design: Tona Pearce Myers

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The information contained in this book is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in this book is at the readers discretion. The author and the publisher specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained in this book. Neither the author nor the publisher recommends the self-management of health or mental health problems. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have learned in this book. Names in this book have been changed to protect the identity of the people represented herein.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Duncan, Shannon, 1970
Present moment awareness : a simple, step-by-step guide to living in the now / Shannon Duncan.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 1-57731-412-3 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Conduct of life. I. Title.
BF637.C5 D86 2003
158.1dc21

2002153577

ISBN 978-1-57731-485-1

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

To Madeline, for being my little Buddha
To Taffy, for lighting my path

I f you have picked up this book, then odds are that in some way you feel dissatisfied with your life. You are not alone. Most of us have a gnawing sense that we are missing out on something more. We just cant put our finger on what it is. Many strive to do more, to attain more, to be more, yet we are left feeling empty. What do any of us really want? It usually boils down to the following: to be noticed, understood, respected, and loved. If examined closely, most of our efforts are pointed toward these basic needs. In essence, we want to be valued as human beings. For many of us, our discontent comes from believing, deep down inside, that we arent.

So what does any of this have to do with present moment awareness? Everything, really. Being present in the moment, you have the opportunity to see beyond what your fears and insecurities tell you and open yourself to a nearly limitless array of new choices. In learning to live in the present, you discover how to set aside emotional baggage from the past, and worries about the future, in order to appreciate the opportunities you have available to you, right here and right now.

This can enable you to:

Stay sharp and focused at work or school

Cease to pointlessly wrestle with circumstances beyond your control

Discover your dreams and make them real

Quit worrying and start living

Let your real self shine and draw others to you

Improve your relationships

Be a better parent

Do work you enjoy and enjoy your work

Improve communication with others

Experience the joy that comes from living fully

The primary requirements for success in this effort are intent and honesty. If you sincerely intend to be honest with yourself and make positive changes wherever you feel it is pertinent, then you have the ability to grow and attain the happiness youve been searching for.

Does this seem too good to be true? It isnt! With heart-felt time and effort, these positive changes in your life can begin to happen naturally. Learning to live in the present moment brings about a shift in our perception, rather than a mere change in our behavior. This is an incredibly powerful and life-altering experience. Remember when you first realized your sexuality? In one fell swoop, your thoughts and behavior pertaining to nearly every aspect of your life changed for all time. This is the same principle when your perspective on life shifts, changes in your feelings and behavior will naturally follow suit. Your life can become less of a struggle and more of a pleasure when you learn what it means to be present in the moment.