"Be Here Now" by George Harrison from his album Living in the Material World is part pop tune, part chant, making it a good mantra.
Breathing in: Be Here . . .
Breathing out: Now
A Blessing for Being Present
May the be in being call to you.
May it stop you in your tracks and invite you to pause and pay attention.
What is being present offering to you right now? This very moment? Here?
Look! The gorgeous red rise of the sun right before your eyes! Don’t miss it! Look!
Listen! The sweet song of the morning birds chattering as they awaken with the dawn! Don’t miss it! Listen!
Feel! The cold breeze left over from the frozen dark night! Don’t miss it! Feel!
Smell! The acrid aroma of the burning toast as it pops up from the toaster! Don’t miss it! Smell!
Taste! The salty tears as they run down your face as your heart opens to the beauty! Don’t miss it! Taste!
May you unwrap this day all the presents that have lavishly been given to you: the gifts of being present, being alive, being awake, being open, being free, being, just being.
May you give thanks for what you did not miss.
— Kaki Grubbs, Spiritual Literacy Certificates Program, 2024 Cohort
