I try to do this as well...most days for me it just means slowing down long enough to appreciate something..

I don't have it mastered by any means.

We have today, this moment.  Life isn't a dress rehersal...its the final production!  (I know that sounds trite but I have to remind myself of this occasionally.)

Great article. You're quite right, that this idea is dealt with deeply in eastern philosophy, although I remember a priest at mass also preaching a homily on the "sacrament of the present moment" so I suppose all good ideas cut across languages, religions, philosophies and cultures.

How do you do it, though?

I've had a little experience of it, from a tradition similar to Sodaiho's, so he might want to say something about that - if you're friends now

In the meantime, maybe I could try and share a bit of my lesser knowledge of the subject. What you call 'nailing your mind to the here and now' is referred to as 'mindfulness' in the Buddhist tradition, and the usual way to cultivate mindfulness is through meditation. Although the ultimate 'goal' of Buddhist meditation is to awaken to ultimate reality, if that seems like a bit of a tall order for this cold Tuesday morning, it is perfectly legitimate to give it a try for its more mundane health and psychological benefits.

In practice, we try to be mindful of right here, right now by keeping a correct (relaxed but alert) posture and focusing on the breath. When thoughts arise, we accept them without 'trying' to stop our thinking, but after a remarkably short time (which seems like an age the first time you get down the cushion) we find that there are little 'blank' spaces opening up between thoughts, and the incessant mental chatter that plays as the soundtrack to the movie of our lives is calming down a bit. This does not require any effort, beyond the enormous effort required not to get up off the cushion and go and 'do' something else instead - and that's the bit I have most problems with.

Many people are put off by the whole Buddhist angle and worry that they might be worshipping idols or something. I can understand that, although I must say that here in Korea people tend to be a bit more pragmatic, and you'll often find Christians, Buddhists, Atheists and others practicing Seon (Korean for Zen) together for its psychological benefits.

The problem, as I'm sure you've already spotted is what happens when you uncross those legs, rub away the pins and needles, get up and try to 'keep' your mindfulness in everyday action. Sorry, I don't have a lot of help for that. I expect the unpalatable answer (to someone as lazy as me) is practice, then more practice. I'd certainly be interested to know more about Gid's 'bastardized form' as well as Sodaiho's more expert view of what I've tried to explain.

Chakgogka: I must not do it right, lol. I've been really interested in meditation for a while now, especially since I have been ill. For me, crossing my legs and closing my eyes and breathing evenly PROMOTES my mind wandering. I tend to have even less focus.

I need to read more about it. I'm sure there's a way, but I think that it is just something that I don't have a knack for and will take more effort than for the average person. I think I have a chemical/genetic knack for daydreaming, etc. My daughter seems to have it too, according to her teachers, lol. Put either of us in a quiet room for more than 10 minutes and we'll be a thousand miles away.

"For me, being in the present means thinking about things I take for granted everyday. Even if its just appreciating the fact someone cared enough to create a coffee maker!hahaha."

That's exactly what I am lacking. I have serious tunnel vision, and sometimes I just look at my life and realize that the vast majority of the people in the world would consider my life a living heaven. Focused on how I can make it "better", I choke all the appreciation I have out of it and live in guilt and disappointment.

I told a friend this weekend that if I had the choice between altering my personality to becoming hugely productive and successful, or more understanding and able to appreciate life now and be satisified with it, I'd take the latter. Oddly, I think such an attitude would make me even more successful, because I wouldn't be so bogged down with negativity.

"Of course, she also says, "Don't mess with me. I'm a short timer! I'll be dead long before they could ever get me to prison!"

LOL... to me there is nothing more noble and awe inspiring than someone who can gracefully accept their fate. I'm very sorry for your aunt, but you have to wonder if the quality of the remainder of her life wouldn't add up to decades to us.

I must not do it right, lol. I've been really interested in meditation for a while now, especially since I have been ill. For me, crossing my legs and closing my eyes and breathing evenly PROMOTES my mind wandering. I tend to have even less focus.

Me too. I think I also have the gene for day dreaming. Truth to tell, I probably enjoy my busy monkey mind so much that I probably wouldn't want to get enlightened in too much of a hurry Still, again from my limited experience (possibly doubly useless in that it's limited and its mine, so may not apply to anyone else) I find that, even though at first the old chattering monkey thinks its christmas and really goes for it, the mind does settle. And, again I may be wrong, but I think that this is perfectly natural and pretty much works for anyone who isn't so disturbed that they ought to be seeking help elsewhere. It's just a question of time. They say that perfecting the practice takes years - some even argue many lifetimes - but I think if you give it a go, you can get the smallest glimpse of 'it', even if then immediately lost, in about 10 minutes.

This may not be of much help to you, but hopefully after I stop typing it will get me back on the cushion

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