The Infinite Mystery of the Present Moment

One Life Tutorial for March 2024

The infinite mystery of the present moment refers to the idea that the present moment, the here and now, contains a depth and richness that is beyond your rational comprehension. The present moment is fleeting and ephemeral. It exists only for an instant before transitioning into the past. Despite its fleeting nature, the present moment holds profound significance because it is the only moment in which you truly live and experience life.
Within the present moment lies a complexity that is infinite. It encompasses not only your immediate sensory experiences but also the vast array of thoughts, emotions, sensations, and perceptions that arise within your awareness. The present moment is inherently unpredictable and uncontrollable. Embracing the mystery of the present moment involves surrendering to its unpredictability and learning to be open to whatever arises. In essence, the infinite mystery of the present moment invites you to approach life with curiosity, openness, and reverence. It reminds you to cultivate mindfulness and presence in each moment, recognizing the inherent beauty and sacredness of One Life here and now. The present moment is your most direct connection to reality. It is where One Life unfolds free from all distortions of memory or projection.
The present moment both asks and answers the question: “What is the nature of reality?” This question encompasses inquiries into the essential principles underlying existence, the nature of consciousness, the structure of the universe, and the relationship between the observer and the observed. It has been explored by philosophers, scientists, theologians, and spiritual seekers throughout history. It is a question that requires the understanding that the infinite mystery of the present moment is how the nature of reality is revealed.
You may have contemplated reality and discovered the notion of “consensus reality.” Consensus reality refers to the generally agreed-upon understanding of what is real and true within a particular society or community. It is the shared understanding of reality that emerges from the collective beliefs, perceptions, and interpretations of a group of people. It is an amalgamation of realities dependent on personal realities coming together somehow.
Consensus reality is socially constructed, meaning it is shaped by cultural norms, values, and shared experiences within a group or society and relies on an implicit agreement among members of a group about what is considered real and acceptable. This agreement helps maintain social cohesion and facilitates communication and interaction among individuals.
As reality is created and lived on the fly, in the moment, a consensus of realities would have to be also created on the fly and exist only in the moment. If you see yourself as an individual, your present moment experience would necessarily be unique to you and simultaneously so would your perception of a consensus reality. So it seems that a consensus reality may never actually exist.
A similar conundrum emerges when you consider the notion of “objective reality.” Objective reality refers to the existence of a world external to your subjective perceptions and interpretations. It implies that there is a physical universe with its own laws, structures, and properties that exist independently of human consciousness. However nothing can be perceived without human consciousness, nor can exist independently.
“Subjective reality,” on the other hand, emphasizes the role of individual perception, interpretation, and consciousness in shaping your experience of reality. It suggests that your subjective experiences and interpretations influence how you perceive and understand the world around you. The question of whether reality is unique to each individual is complex and can be approached from various philosophical, psychological, and scientific perspectives. The challenge with this representation lies in seeing infinite realities expressing infinite points of view communicating with each other.
Some theoretical frameworks, such as those in quantum physics and metaphysics, propose the existence of multidimensional or multilevel realities “beyond” your ordinary perception. These models suggest that reality has dimensions or aspects that are not accessible through your conventional senses. In some philosophical and spiritual traditions, reality is viewed as a combination of illusionary phenomena with an ultimate reality that transcends ordinary perception. These belief systems emphasize the transient and illusory nature of conventional reality. They also recognize the infinite mystery of the present moment.
The nature of reality is a deep and multifaceted topic that encompasses various perspectives and interpretations. We have presented just a few possible configurations of reality to stimulate your exploration. This exploration invites your contemplation and meditation, diving deep into the fundamental nature of existence, consciousness, and perception. In all the ways you can describe the nature of reality, you are describing the infinite mystery of the present moment. The deeper knowing is that when the infinite mystery of the moment is embraced, there is One Life. One reality, non-dual, the only reality there is of All That Is, always reflecting the infinite mystery of the present moment.