The Power of Now: Lessons from Krishna Das, Shaolin Wisdom, and Oracle Guidance

Have you ever found yourself swept away by the chaos of thoughts, the endless pull of past regrets, and future worries? Watching a few profound conversations recently, I felt like I’d uncovered keys to navigating this maze of distractions. Let me share these moments with you, not just as inspiration, but as a gentle guide to help you realign with the now.

While watching Krishna Das in an interview, the humility in his words struck me deeply. When asked how he feels singing to a mesmerized audience, he said, “I’m not even aware. I sing to Him.” Think about that for a moment. Here is someone adored by thousands, yet his focus never wavers from the act itself—singing to the Divine. He admitted, “If my attention strays to the crowd or elsewhere, I simply pick it up and bring it back to the singing.” When asked about people experiencing awakenings during his kirtans, he humbly replied, “Oh, do they? Well, I’m not the one making that happen. I just sing to Him.”

This wasn’t just humility; it was a powerful lesson. How often do we get caught up in the results of our actions, the applause, or even the criticism? Krishna Das reminded me—and now I remind you—that the only thing in our control is our focus, our attention. If it strays, don’t judge. Just pick it up and bring it back. Every time.

Then there was Hen Shin Yen Li, the headmaster of the Shaolin Temple, who asked a question that lingered: “Does your mind control you, or do you control your mind?” He painted a vivid picture of daily life—you’re mid-conversation, and suddenly, a thought arises: “I’m hungry,” or “I need to do laundry.” What happens next? Most of us immediately act, letting the thought dictate our actions. But Yen Li offered another way: acknowledge the thought, see it for what it is, and let it pass. “True meditation,” he said, “is being in the now.”

Reading this, you might be thinking, “That’s easier said than done.” I get it—I’ve been there, multitasking away, feeling the weight of scattered attention. But try this: next time a distracting thought arises, simply pause. Remind yourself that you are here, in this moment. Not every thought needs to be acted upon.

Finally, an oracle reading video challenged another belief we hold tightly: that suffering is the only path to grace. We often think success requires struggle or that joy can only come after hardship. But why? The message was simple yet revolutionary: grace and abundance don’t demand suffering. They flow when we’re present, when we trust, when we believe we deserve them.

How often do we carry the baggage of the past in one hand, while clutching dreams of the future in the other? In doing so, we miss the gift of now. What if, instead, we stood fully in the present, grateful for this moment, this breath? Surrender, the oracle reminded me, isn’t about giving up. It’s about trusting that life’s unpredictable flow will carry us exactly where we need to be.

So, here’s what I’ve learned: Sing your song for its own sake. Observe your thoughts without reacting to them. And stop believing that joy must be earned through pain. Abundance and peace are available now, in this very moment. Let go, trust, and open yourself to the beauty of the now. You deserve it.