Being present is being fully awake and aware. Love, happiness and intelligence are available when the mind is truly present, when it is truly still.

Advaita teaching believes that a still mind can discriminate between the temporary and the eternal unchanging. The distractions of this still mind are thoughts, dreams and procrastination.

Absolute existence is not perceptible to the senses nor is it understandable from the mind. In moments when all desires cease, we can experience a limitless state of freedom filled with love and contentment.

The allegory of the cave looks at the distinction between all that is passing and imaginary and that which is eternal and true.

The principle, ‘that which is in front of you is your teacher’, is a very practical way of opening up to the riches of the present moment.

A human being in the present moment has many powers available to them. How can we best connect to these powers and use them wisely?

One way or another, this power to decide, whether it is used well or not, will greatly influence our lives and the lives of those around us. There are many relevant examples that we can consider; matters that everyone, at some time or another in their lives, has to reflect upon.

The greater power of love arises when the heart is still, at rest and open. It is an extraordinary power because it can inspire people to all kinds of efforts or sacrifices of which they would otherwise never feel capable. With love, nothing is too great a burden or difficulty. It transcends limitation and overcomes division and in so doing, everything becomes possible.

Factors influencing our will. One of the difficulties that people often face in modern living is the idea of having too much to do and not enough time to do them. This stops us living in the present. A Sanskrit maxim to help is padam padam, step by step.

The idea, according to Advaita philosophy, is that we are not just individual beings but universal beings endowed with universal powers.