Being Present

Darren Cockburn has been practicing meditation and mindfulness for over 20 years, studying with a range of teachers from different religions. As a coach and teacher, he has supported hundreds of people in meditation, mindfulness, and finding a connection to spirituality, with a focus on applying spiritual teachings in everyday life to cultivate a peaceful mind. Darren also works as a business consultant supporting organizations with strategy formulation, interim leadership roles, and transformation programs. He lives in Bournemouth, England.

1 Introduction
Characteristics of Presence
Ego
Presence & Mindfulness
How to Cultivate Presence
The Origins of Presence
Presence & Religion
How Our Thoughts Change
The Prompts to Write This Book
Using This Book
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

2 Body
Looking After Our Bodies
Working with Tiredness & Illness
Managing Pain through Presence
Exercise & Movement
The Breath Sexuality
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

3 People
Land of Presence
Love & Control
Knowing Our Triggers
Creating Space & Letting Go ‘Difficult’ People & Situations
Presence through Communication
True Listening
Solitude & Loneliness Friendship 61 Changes to Personal Relationships Understanding Our Impact on People
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

4 Meditation
Time, Duration & Frequency
Meditation Posture Location, Entrance & Exit
Meditation Technique
Presence Meditation
Presence Meditation -- Stage One -- Thought
Presence Meditation -- Stage Two -- Breath
Presence Meditation -- Stage Three -- Exclusively Present
Meditation Challenges
Reflection & Planning
Teachers, Groups & Religious Movements
Mini Meditations
Motivation
Presence Meditation - Quick Reference Guide
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities Meditation

5 Internal Hindrances & The Ego
Sensory Desire
Ill Will
Sloth & Torpor
Restlessness & Worry Doubt
Hindrances Summary
Application outside of Meditation
The Ego
Responding to Difficult Feelings
Worldly Conditions
Triggering the Hindrances in Others
Hindrances during Sleep
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

6 Simplicity
Balancing Simplicity with Wisdom & Compassion
Simple & Repetitive Activities
Simplicity & Assets
The Simplicity Paradox
Technology & Messaging
Waiting
Assets, De-cluttering & Physical Spaciousness
Streamlining
Simplicity of the Present Moment
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

7 Addictions
How Addictions Are Created
Gaining Freedom from Addictions
The World’s Biggest Addiction
Relating to Addictions
Addictions Attracting Addictions
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

8 Stillness, Spaciousness & Nature
Stillness of the Body
Space between Objects
Silence
Space between Hindrances
Sleep
Nature
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

9 Acceptance
How to Accept
Working with Resistance
Relative & Absolute Acceptance
Options for Cultivating Acceptance
Acceptance of Our Relative Self
The Four A’s Cycle
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

10 Work & Service
Conflicting & Complementary Views
The Three Modalities of Awakened Doing
Concentration
Identifications at Work
Reviewing Work & Service
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

11 Teachers, Religion & Study
Spiritual Teachers & Religious Movements
Spiritual Retreats
Studying Spiritual Teachings
Time & Motivation to Study
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

12 Structuring Our Practice
Creating a Presence Inventory
Striking the Right Balance
Journalling & Writing
Practising with Others
Progress & Measurement
Creating Time for Structured Practice
Anchoring Our Practice
Points for Reflection
Optional Learning Activities

Afterword

Acknowledgements

Notes

Bibliography

About the Author