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今今と 今という間に
今ぞなく
今という間に 今ぞすぎゆく
ima ima to ima to iu ma ni
imazonaku
ima to iu ma ni imazo siguyuku
Between right now and now
there is no now
In the moment of now, now is gone
–Anonymous
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In our busy daily lives, we get caught up in small tasks and let days pass by without doing what we really want to do.
Is it because we are simply avoiding the hassle of doing what we want to do, or think we should be doing? Is it because we have become accustomed to living without being aware of the present moment?
However, if it is a hassle that cannot be avoided, do it now. If you really want to do something, do it "now" and not "some other time." Just as "now" is gone as soon as we think it, our lives, who we are, change each moment. There is no guarantee that the you of now and the you of the next moment will be the same. How can you be sure they will be? If you have something to be done, do it. If you have something you want to do, do it.
There are many waka about valuing the present. Here are some more examples:
明日のこと 昨日のことに 渡らずと
ただ今橋を 渡れ世の人
Cross the bridge now
Not tomorrow or yesterday
– Nakazawa Doji (1725-1803)
明日ありと 思う心の あだ桜
夜半の嵐の 吹かぬものかは
Those who think tomorrow will come
Don’t know if a night-time storm will scatter the cherry blossoms
– Shinran (1173-1263
明日までと 思おう心の 怠りに
今日をばあだに 暮らすはかなさ
The vanity of wasting today
Because you think there is a tomorrow
– Jion Nikenka（1716-1778）
Reading these poems, it seems clear that failing to live in the present moment isn't a recent phenomenon. You might even begin to feel a strange sense of camaraderie with our poets!
Is there anything that stands out to you from these poems? Have you learned to live in the present moment through a unique experience? Let us know by leaving a comment. We'd love to hear from you!