“To dwell in the here and now does not mean you never think about the past or responsibly plan for the future. The idea is simply not to allow yourself to get lost in regrets about the past or worries about the future. If you are firmly grounded in the present moment, the past can be an object of inquiry, the object of your mindfulness and concentration. You can attain many insights by looking into the past. But you are still grounded in the present moment.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh - “To dwell in the here and now does not...” 1

Similar quotes

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

Gautama Buddha
Read more

“Dwell in the past, worry about the future and find misery in the present.”

Wayne Gerard Trotman
Read more

“Fearing the future & worrying about repeating the past will always rob one of the present moment.”

Timothy Pina
Read more

“You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea.Only in the awareness of the present, can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.Only in the present, can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy.If you are ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.Life is like that.If you are not fully present, you will look around and it will be gone.You will have missed the feel, the aroma, the delicacy and beauty of life.It will seem to be speeding past you. The past is finished.Learn from it and let it go.The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.Worrying is worthless.When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment.Then you will begin to experience joy in life.”

Thich Nhat Hanh
Read more

“…everything has a past. Everything – a person, an object, a word, everything. If you don’t know the past, you can’t understand the present and plan properly for the future.”

Chaim Potok
Read more