Chapter 64: Living by Being Here Now
“What is at rest is easy to hold.
What manifests before warning can be dealt with easily.
What is fragile breaks easily.
What is small scatters easily.
Handle a problem before it appears.
Secure order before confusion begins.
A tree that fills a man’s embrace grows from a tiny shoot.
A tower of nine stories begins with a heap of earth.
A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet.”
— Tao Te Ching, Verse 64
This passage is about the power of presence and patience. Lao Tzu reminds us that everything—whether challenge, growth, or transformation—starts small. Life flows most naturally when we act before problems escalate, and when we stay rooted in the moment.
Wayne Dyer reflects on how living in the “here and now” means embracing life as it is, without rushing into the future or regretting the past. We avoid unnecessary suffering by dealing with things while they are still simple—by staying conscious, responsive, and gentle in our actions.
This chapter is a call to mindful awareness, to being proactive with grace, and to recognising the immense power of the present moment.
Key Themes
- Address things before they become problems
- Everything big once started small
- Mindfulness in the moment prevents chaos later
- Living from presence is the path to peace
- Growth is gentle, steady, and rooted in now
Actionable Steps: Living by Being Here Now
- Practice Micro-Presence
- Be fully present in even the smallest of tasks: brushing your teeth, drinking water, walking to the car.
- Ask yourself: “Am I here, or am I somewhere else in my mind?”
- Catch Discomfort Early
- Don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed. Pause when you feel the first ripple of stress or resistance.
- Breathe, ground yourself, and ask: “What needs gentle attention right now?”
- Handle What’s Now—Not What Might Be
- The mind loves to create imaginary futures. Instead, ask:
“What is actually happening right now?”
Then respond only to that.
- The mind loves to create imaginary futures. Instead, ask:
- Simplify the Complex
- If something feels daunting, break it down.
- Big goals = small, present-moment actions. Start with what’s beneath your feet.
- Embrace the Process, Not the Outcome
- Don’t be fixated on where you’re going. Trust that each grounded, conscious step is leading you perfectly.
- As Dyer often said, “There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.”
Mantra for Living by Being Here Now
“I return to this moment. I am safe. I am grounded. I am here.”
Let this mantra guide you when you feel scattered, worried about the future, or disconnected from the now.
