--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nowness is the essence of meditation…" description: "\"Nowness is the essence of meditation. Whatever one does, whatever one tries to practice, is trying to see what is here and now. One becomes aware of th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png" --- # Nowness is the essence of meditation. Whatever one does… ![“Nowness is the essence of meditation. Whatever one does, whatever one tries to practice, is trying to see what is here and now. One becomes aware of the present moment through such means as concentrating on the breathing. This is based on developing the knowledge of nowness, for each respiration…” quote by Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png) > “Nowness is the essence of meditation. Whatever one does, whatever one tries to practice, is trying to see what is here and now. One becomes aware of the present moment through such means as concentrating on the breathing. This is based on developing the knowledge of nowness, for each respiration is unique. It is an expression of now.” [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Meditation focuses on fully experiencing each present moment, especially through breath, recognizing each instant as unique. **In simple terms:** Meditation is about fully experiencing the present now. Key Takeaway Practice mindful breathing to anchor awareness. Themes mindfulness presence meditation Mood calm reflective Type spiritual practical When to use this quote - daily meditation - stress relief - therapy sessions - yoga practice Key Concepts impermanence consciousness awareness Questions to Reflect On - How does noticing each breath change your perception of time? - What obstacles arise when trying to stay present? A Different Perspective May overlook deeper emotional layers if only breath is focused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Here and now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/here-and-now/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Present moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-moment/) [Respiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respiration/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Nowness or the magic of the present moment is what joins the wisdom of the past with the present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/nowness-or-the-magic-of-the-present-moment-is-what-joins-the-wisdom/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [The present is haunted by the X-present. I call this manifold of present and X-present 'nowness': a shifting, haunted region like evaporating mist; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-morton/the-present-is-haunted-by-the-x-present-i-call-this-manifold-of/) [Timothy Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-morton/) > ['Nowness' is a dynamic relation between the past and the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-morton/nowness-is-a-dynamic-relation-between-the-past-and-the-future/) [Timothy Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-morton/) > [“The principle of nowness is very important to any effort to establish an enlightened society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-principle-of-nowness-is-very-important-to-any-effort-to-establish/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The very essence of meditation is to be so silent that there is no stirring of thoughts in you, that words don't come between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-very-essence-of-meditation-is-to-be-so-silent-that-there-is-no/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Create a gap of no-mind in which you are highly alert and aware but not thinking. This is the essence of meditation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/create-a-gap-of-no-mind-in-which-you-are-highly-alert-and-aware-but/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“draw consciousness away from mind activity and create a gap of no-mind in which you are highly alert and aware but not thinking. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/draw-consciousness-away-from-mind-activity-and-create-a-gap-of-no/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“The essence of meditation is to induce a mind which is totally relaxed and at the same time totally aware. If you get into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-tenzin-palmo/the-essence-of-meditation-is-to-induce-a-mind-which-is-totally/) [Ani Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-tenzin-palmo/) > [The essence of meditation is a period of time set aside to contemplate the Lord, listen to Him, and allow Him to permeate our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stanley/the-essence-of-meditation-is-a-period-of-time-set-aside-to/) [Charles Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stanley/) > [I’m telling you, you’d like him. He goes to a public school and just started at Spencer’s. The other day, he was going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-m-telling-you-you-d-like-him-he-goes-to-a-public-school-and-just/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [Like any good drug, anger can mask all reality. But anger is not an easy emotion to call up on demand, which is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/like-any-good-drug-anger-can-mask-all-reality-but-anger-is-not-an/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Since it is the very substance of the animal, it is the blood which transports the fuel.If the animal did not habitually replace, through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-lavoisier/since-it-is-the-very-substance-of-the-animal-it-is-the-blood-which/) [Antoine Lavoisier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-lavoisier/) > [And we'd sit in the dry leaves that whispered a little with the slow respiration of our waiting and with the slow breathing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/and-we-d-sit-in-the-dry-leaves-that-whispered-a-little-with-the-slow/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“The sense of respiration is an example of our natural sense relationship with the atmospheric matrix. Remember, respiration means to re-spire, to re-spirit ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-cohen-2/the-sense-of-respiration-is-an-example-of-our-natural-sense/) Michael J. Cohen > [People were so naive about plants, Ellie thought. They just chose plants for appearance, as they would choose a picture for the wall. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/people-were-so-naive-about-plants-ellie-thought-they-just-chose/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## More by Chogyam Trungpa > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Acknowledging foolishness is a very powerful and important experience. We could almost say that being willing to be a fool is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/acknowledging-foolishness-is-a-very-powerful-and-important-experience/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [We do not have to be ashamed of what we are. As sentient beings we have wonderful backgrounds. These backgrounds may not be particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-do-not-have-to-be-ashamed-of-what-we-are-as-sentient-beings-we/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [When you drop your unnecessary things, you finally can swoop and fly in vast space. It is so blue, so bright, and so nice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-you-drop-your-unnecessary-things-you-finally-can-swoop-and-fly/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Anything that is created must sooner or later die. Enlightenment is permanent because we have not produced it; we have merely discovered it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/anything-that-is-created-must-sooner-or-later-die-enlightenment-is/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“There is a saying in the Tibetan scriptures: “Knowledge must be burned, hammered, and beaten like pure gold. Then one can wear it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/there-is-a-saying-in-the-tibetan-scriptures-knowledge-must-be-burned/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“Warriorship is a continual journey. To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine in every moment of your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/warriorship-is-a-continual-journey-to-be-a-warrior-is-to-learn-to-be/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [The courage to work with ourselves comes as basic trust in ourselves, as a sort of fundamental optimism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-courage-to-work-with-ourselves-comes-as-basic-trust-in-ourselves/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Enlightenment is like witnessing the brilliant sun for the first time in the morning. It is like seeing the beautiful flowers that grow in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/enlightenment-is-like-witnessing-the-brilliant-sun-for-the-first-time/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [ If you look into the mirror, you see that \[every part of you\] belongs there and you belong there, as you are. You begin… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/if-you-look-into-the-mirror-you-see-that-every-part-of-you-belongs/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [This whole world is mind's world, the product of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/this-whole-world-is-mind-s-world-the-product-of-the-mind/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [When one is able to overcome the romantic and emotional attitude, one discovers truth even in the kitchen sink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-one-is-able-to-overcome-the-romantic-and-emotional-attitude-one/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [One day passes and another day comes along, and everything happens the same. But basically, we are so afraid of the brilliance coming at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/one-day-passes-and-another-day-comes-along-and-everything-happens-the/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Real fearlessness is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart. You are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/real-fearlessness-is-the-product-of-tenderness-it-comes-from-letting/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are developing spirituality when instead we are strengthening our egocentricity through spiritual techniques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-can-deceive-ourselves-into-thinking-we-are-developing-spirituality/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) [Explore all 248 Chogyam Trungpa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## More Breathing quotes > [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [“As long as we’re breathing, we have a chance to start over and build a stable future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/as-long-as-we-re-breathing-we-have-a-chance-to-start-over-and-build-a/) [Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/) > [People don't think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing has to be number one - even though it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/people-don-t-think-much-about-breathing-of-all-the-things-we-take-for/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [I wish," Jared began, and stopped, breathing in. "Do you remember how you used to believe I wasn't real? Sometimes I wish that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/i-wish-jared-began-and-stopped-breathing-in-do-you-remember-how-you/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Breathing is give(carbon dioxide) and take(oxygen), such is life, find balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-williams/breathing-is-give-carbon-dioxide-and-take-oxygen-such-is-life-find/) Marcel Williams > [I'll probably be writing as long as I'm breathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/i-ll-probably-be-writing-as-long-as-i-m-breathing/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [For me writing is like breathing. I could not live without breathing and I could not live without writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/for-me-writing-is-like-breathing-i-could-not-live-without-breathing/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [I’m in, Cat. I’d never leave you. Especially when you’ve got death breathing down your neck.” “Very funny,” I retorted, since Bones was inches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-m-in-cat-i-d-never-leave-you-especially-when-you-ve-got-death/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [Splutter, splutter. Yes - we're off - we're rising. But why start off with an engine like that? But it smooths out now, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/splutter-splutter-yes-we-re-off-we-re-rising-but-why-start-off-with/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [He’d moved toward me again. His hands released mine and moved to my waist, and I noticed I wasn’t the only one breathing heavily.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/he-d-moved-toward-me-again-his-hands-released-mine-and-moved-to-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [My worry is that opera will become an historic art form as opposed to a living, breathing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-worry-is-that-opera-will-become-an-historic-art-form-as-opposed-to/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [I'm really fascinated and you know I've been wondering about that usage of language, various breathing techniques and why in these practices language is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-acker/i-m-really-fascinated-and-you-know-i-ve-been-wondering-about-that/) [Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/) > [I’m exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us — comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-m-exactly-right-for-you-bella-it-would-have-been-effortless-for-us/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) [Browse all 1,666 Breathing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nowness is the essence of meditation. Whatever one does, whatever one tries to practice, is trying to see what is here and now. One becomes aware of the present moment through such means as concentrating on the breathing. This is based on developing the knowledge of nowness, for each respiration is unique. It is an expression of now.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chogyam Trungpa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-whatever-one-does-whatever-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Breathing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-whatever-one-does-whatever-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/chogyam-trungpa-1373_breathing_nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-wha_2248302.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Nowness is the essence of meditation. Whatever one does, whatever one tries to practice, is trying to see…” — Chogyam Trungpa", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chogyam Trungpa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Nowness is the essence of meditation....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-whatever-one-does-whatever-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/nowness-is-the-essence-of-meditation-whatever-one-does-whatever-one/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```