--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To live a present and awakened life…" description: "\"To live a present and awakened life, simply be responsive to the moment. It is very simple. If you are hungry, eat. If you are thirsty, drink. If you a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/leonard-jacobson-8004_awakened_to-live-a-present-and-awakened-life-simp_100908.jpg" --- # To live a present and awakened life, simply be responsive… ![“To live a present and awakened life, simply be responsive to the moment. It is very simple. If you are hungry, eat. If you are thirsty, drink. If you are lonely, call a friend for tea. If you are overwhelmed with too much company, then get away by yourself.” quote by Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/leonard-jacobson-8004_awakened_to-live-a-present-and-awakened-life-simp_100908.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/leonard-jacobson-8004_awakened_to-live-a-present-and-awakened-life-simp_100908.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/leonard-jacobson-8004_awakened_to-live-a-present-and-awakened-life-simp_100908.jpg) > “To live a present and awakened life, simply be responsive to the moment. It is very simple. If you are hungry, eat. If you are thirsty, drink. If you are lonely, call a friend for tea. If you are overwhelmed with too much company, then get away by yourself.” [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being present means meeting each need as it arises, without overcomplicating or resisting the moment. **In simple terms:** Respond directly to current needs. Key Takeaway Mindful responsiveness reduces stress. Themes mindfulness self‑care simplicity emotional regulation Mood calm grounded Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - Feeling overwhelmed at work - Experiencing loneliness - Physical hunger or thirst Key Concepts present‑moment awareness basic human needs Practical Applications - Practice a quick check‑in: ask what you truly need now - Set boundaries to allow solitary time when crowded Questions to Reflect On - How does reacting instantly affect long‑term satisfaction? - When might pausing be more beneficial than acting immediately? A Different Perspective May overlook deeper emotional processing needed beyond immediate actions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lonely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lonely/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Those who still believe the Brahmins should take a serious note of the changing times and start leading an awakened life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/periyar-e-v-ramasamy/those-who-still-believe-the-brahmins-should-take-a-serious-note-of/) [Periyar E. V. Ramasamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/periyar-e-v-ramasamy/) > [ Living an awakened life \[...\] is just a matter of where our attention is being placed. It is possible for our human-beingness and our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-gardner/living-an-awakened-life-is-just-a-matter-of-where-our-attention-is/) Alice Gardner > [At the heart of each spiritual tradition is the question of how to be in the world without losing what matters, and whether living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nepo/at-the-heart-of-each-spiritual-tradition-is-the-question-of-how-to-be/) [Mark Nepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nepo/) > [“In a matter of moments, I awakened to a life that wasn’t mine. It was like peering into a dark hidden world that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ericksen/in-a-matter-of-moments-i-awakened-to-a-life-that-wasn-t-mine-it-was/) [Mike Ericksen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ericksen/) > [In the awakened state of Presence, aloneness becomes all-oneness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/in-the-awakened-state-of-presence-aloneness-becomes-all-oneness/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [As you transition from the past and future world of the mind to the awakened world of now, you will begin to experience yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/as-you-transition-from-the-past-and-future-world-of-the-mind-to-the/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [In the awakened state, the mind is either perfectly silent or it is a perfectly clear instrument of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/in-the-awakened-state-the-mind-is-either-perfectly-silent-or-it-is-a/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [I live in the present; there is nothing more important than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauricio-pochettino/i-live-in-the-present-there-is-nothing-more-important-than-that/) [Mauricio Pochettino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauricio-pochettino/) > [Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery & today is gift.So live for the present moment & make use of it wisely,let not precious moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/yesterday-is-history-tomorrow-is-mystery-today-is-gift-so-live-for/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“live in the present not the past , because is not worth going to the same path of the ugliness past”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xena-viera/live-in-the-present-not-the-past-because-is-not-worth-going-to-the/) Xena Viera > [The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There's only one moment for you to live, and that is the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-past-is-already-gone-the-future-is-not-yet-here-there-s-only-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Up to this time I had always lived in the future and felt that I was simply getting ready for something. Now I began…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/up-to-this-time-i-had-always-lived-in-the-future-and-felt-that-i-was/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But you have to live in the present. You have to take the old and make it new -- that's my point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-myracle/but-you-have-to-live-in-the-present-you-have-to-take-the-old-and-make/) [Lauren Myracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-myracle/) > [You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/you-must-live-in-the-present-launch-yourself-on-every-wave-find-your/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Never worry about anything. Live in the present. Live now. Be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsilio-ficino/never-worry-about-anything-live-in-the-present-live-now-be-happy/) [Marsilio Ficino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsilio-ficino/) ## More by Leonard Jacobson > [As each one of us awakens, it is like a light going on, followed by another light, another light, and another light. The darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/as-each-one-of-us-awakens-it-is-like-a-light-going-on-followed-by/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [There is no greater power than the power of love, which arises from Presence. It overcomes all resistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/there-is-no-greater-power-than-the-power-of-love-which-arises-from/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [When you awaken, you will see that this is Heaven on Earth, and everything in physical form is the body of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/when-you-awaken-you-will-see-that-this-is-heaven-on-earth-and/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [More than anything else, judgment will take you out of the present moment. It will take you out of Oneness into separation. Whenever judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/more-than-anything-else-judgment-will-take-you-out-of-the-present/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [Every moment you are present, there is a little less darkness in our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/every-moment-you-are-present-there-is-a-little-less-darkness-in-our/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [When you are present, you are transcendent of the mind and ego and so you can witness your mind and ego. You can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/when-you-are-present-you-are-transcendent-of-the-mind-and-ego-and-so/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [One of the great dangers on the spiritual path is that the ego becomes spiritualized. The ego loves to think of itself as spiritually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/one-of-the-great-dangers-on-the-spiritual-path-is-that-the-ego/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [THE JOURNEY IS FROM HERE TO HERE. AND THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN ARRIVE IS NOW.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/the-journey-is-from-here-to-here-and-the-only-time-you-can-arrive-is/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [“The soul’s journey is from Oneness into separation, ultimately to return to Oneness." ~ Leonard Jacobson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/the-soul-s-journey-is-from-oneness-into-separation-ultimately-to/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [“From Being to the Eternal To awaken from mind to Being is your responsibility. No one can do it for you. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/from-being-to-the-eternal-to-awaken-from-mind-to-being-is-your/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [Surrender the dream and the truth will be revealed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/surrender-the-dream-and-the-truth-will-be-revealed/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [God is real. God is here now. God is this moment revealed. For the most part, we are lost in the past and future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/god-is-real-god-is-here-now-god-is-this-moment-revealed-for-the-most/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [The underlying motivation that drives all addiction is our insistence on avoiding pain. However, the pain you are avoiding is based in the past,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/the-underlying-motivation-that-drives-all-addiction-is-our-insistence/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [The only thing I trust is silence. And I trust silence completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/the-only-thing-i-trust-is-silence-and-i-trust-silence-completely/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [Your gift to God is honesty. God's gift to you is truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/your-gift-to-god-is-honesty-god-s-gift-to-you-is-truth/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) [Explore all 85 Leonard Jacobson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) ## More Awakened quotes > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [If your heart isn't yet illumined Be awake always, be a seeker of the heart, Be at war continually with your carnal soul. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/if-your-heart-isn-t-yet-illumined-be-awake-always-be-a-seeker-of-the/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There’s been a problem, a problem eating away at me from the inside out. I’ve become weak, I’ve shown human compassion, and it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane/there-s-been-a-problem-a-problem-eating-away-at-me-from-the-inside/) [Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane/) > [Although all men are born free, slavery has been the general lot of the human race. Ignorant--they have been cheated; asleep--they have been surprised;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/although-all-men-are-born-free-slavery-has-been-the-general-lot-of/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION is a manual and a call to action for awakened patriots who are too intelligent to believe the leftist media lies and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/righteous-indignation-is-a-manual-and-a-call-to-action-for-awakened/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [Don Quixote followed nature, and being satisfied with his first sleep, did not solicit more. As for Sancho, he never wanted a second, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/don-quixote-followed-nature-and-being-satisfied-with-his-first-sleep/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [When I write about "realizations," I am describing a state in which a practitioner has wisdom of who she or he is, and has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-targ/when-i-write-about-realizations-i-am-describing-a-state-in-which-a/) Russell Targ > [I believe that it is truly important for everyone to confront in dialogue the historical reality of the Reformation, its consequences and the responses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-believe-that-it-is-truly-important-for-everyone-to-confront-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“The truth is: while it may have been rough getting here, I’ve awakened to a dream. The most incredible man in the world came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dawn/the-truth-is-while-it-may-have-been-rough-getting-here-i-ve-awakened/) [Tessa Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dawn/) > [In our true blissful essence of mind is known that everything is alright forever and forever and forever...listen to the silence inside the illusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/in-our-true-blissful-essence-of-mind-is-known-that-everything-is/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [At certain times, a silent mind is very important, but 'silent' does not mean closed. The silent mind is an alert, awakened mind; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thubten-yeshe/at-certain-times-a-silent-mind-is-very-important-but-silent-does-not/) [Thubten Yeshe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thubten-yeshe/) > [In Buddhism, there are three gems: Buddha, the awakened one; Dharma, the way of understanding and loving; and Sangha, the community that lives in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/in-buddhism-there-are-three-gems-buddha-the-awakened-one-dharma-the/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [What portion in the world can the artist have, Who has awakened from the common dream, But dissipation and despair?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/what-portion-in-the-world-can-the-artist-have-who-has-awakened-from/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [The living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-living-word-awakened-my-soul-gave-it-light-hope-joy-set-it-free/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Let us not seek to make it less monstrous, for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty, lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/let-us-not-seek-to-make-it-less-monstrous-for-our-own-convenience-our/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) Browse all 330 Awakened quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To live a present and awakened life, simply be responsive to the moment. 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