The Buddha never asked anyone to isolate themselves or remove themselves from society.

The buddha asked one to try and keep one’s mind in the present  – to try and isolate one’s mind from thoughts of the past or present.

This can be done while one functions within society. There is no reason to isolate one’s self from society or your sangha or your family. In fact, the Buddha spent most of his ‘enlightened’ life moving within towns and resting at night, with his Sangha.

Isolation and removal from society is not only unnecessary, but can make your practice weak. Practicing ‘staying in the present’ may seem a little harder when one is within a group, but is good training nevertheless.

The post Isolate yourself from time, not from society – Lessons on staying in the present appeared first on Anuj Varma, Hands-On Technology Architect, Clean Air Activist.