Fasten seat belts: Time does not exist. It is a concept that enables us to refer to certain events and put them into context. Experientially speaking there is never anything happening outside of the present moment.

Have you ever experienced anything in the past or will you ever experience anything in the future?

In actual reality it is impossible to escape the eternal now. In psychological reality however, it is very well possible. Let's have a closer look:

»In the past my life was much easier. There was more freedom, better health and I was a happier person.« The bigger the gap between your memory and the present moment, the more you suffer emotions like guilt and regret.

»Once I buy that I'll be happy. Five more years until I retire – then I'll enjoy life fully.« The bigger the gap between imagination of the future and the present moment, the more you suffer emotions like anxiety and stress.

Even if you don't think about the past or the future, your rational mind loves to grasp at all kinds of distractions to escape the present moment: »I've got a new message on my phone. Look at how awful these people behave.«

The only way to experience more presence is to stop escaping into your thoughts. When your full attention is anchored in the here and now, do you feel any lack? Is there anything missing to be happy? Where is the suffering you were just thinking about in the here and now?