Columns

What do you notice? What do you notice as hold this copy of Critic in your hands; as you start to read this column? Take a minute to look around. Who or what do you see; the colours, the light and shadows? Listen. What do you hear; close by and further off? What smells do you notice? And what do you feel against you skin, and beneath your feet; heat or cold, the textures rough or smooth?

Now turn your attention inwards. Notice your breathing – in and out. How rapid or slow is it? And the beat of your heart; what do you notice? How tense are you? How relaxed? What is your mood? How do you feel …?

Welcome to the moment! This moment! This all important quantum of space and time, here between your immediate past and your next future. Actually it’s all the space and time you have, since the past, your past with all its joys and sorrows has gone (although you might continue to experience the consequences of past actions and choices of course) and your future, even what happens in the next few minutes, is uncertain and yet-to-be.

But if this present moment is all we actually have, how much time and attention do we give it? Most of the time we’re reviewing the past; maybe wishing we could relive it again, or change it in some way …. Or we’re planning our futures: What to cook for tea tonight, which party to go to this weekend, how to ace that next assignment, how and when to hook up, or break up, with that girl or guy we’ve met, what job to get over the holidays, or what career path to choose …. How often are we in the moment – just for a moment?

But why this focus on the moment; why this call to notice? Because this moment is the place of encounter and discovery – of ourselves, our real selves behind the masks; of the wonder and sacredness of Life; and of the wonder and sacred otherness of God (however we conceive him/her/it). Socrates claimed that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Our great University challenges us to “Dare to Be Wise.” Both of these endeavours start with noticing in the moment – just for a moment. I invite you to do just that – and often. Let me know how you get on.

– Mike Wright, University Chaplain

chaplain@op.ac.nz

www.otago.ac.nz/chaplain.