How to Practice Being in a State of Presence

A few weeks ago I was graced to see musician Peter Kater at a private home in Ft. Collins. He played a beautiful grand piano in front of an intimate crowd of 50 people. He was set in front of bay windows that had a spectacular view of nature and a lake. Peter played with only the light of dusk. It was so beautiful witnessing the power of being in someone’s presence who is totally in the flow when he sits down at the piano.

The audience was able to experience what Peter was feeling in the keys he touched and the music he created. He allowed us to lay under the piano to feel the music deeper and to get more present with his art. As I laid under the piano, I could feel his passion and power and how the Divine flow had taken him over and was rushing through him as his fingers moved across the keys and his foot pounded to the beat. Such power and grace all at the same time. It was amazing.

Peter spoke between his playing about how we are all energy, and how he can sense the energy of the crowd and the piano. He said this particular piano wanted to be played, and it was so beautiful and sweet that it made his experience even more connected and enjoyable. Peter said how much he appreciated us receiving him and his music as he could feel our energy. He talked about how our energy impacts each of us and the exchange of energy that exists between performer and audience is a natural state and flow. He spoke about what he does, and how he stays in the flow of that energy in order to not only create his pieces of work but also to perform.

This is something we all have access to, and we can all practice just like Peter. If you have not heard his work, I invite you to check it out and feel what being present with his music sounds like: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/peter-kater/id12973

Peter talked about the Art of Presence and how not many people put attention on this aspect of themselves but when you do, there are amazing insights, creativity and solutions that move through you effortlessly, and the experience is incredibly calming.

I have to tell you I was deeply impacted by this concert and have been listening to his music nonstop since that evening to keep me connected to the flow of my own presence. Peter talked about what keeps him in a state of flow as he plays; here were his key points.

• Staying present to his breath
• Silence – not having any distractions
• When he sees chords or keys in his head to play, he plays them
• Putting all his attention on the piano and playing

How do these adapt to your daily life?

• Use your breath to slow down and to focus
• Be in silence and bring your attention to one thing
• Act on what your intuition is guiding you to do
• Concentrate on what is in front of you until it becomes you

Open to your extraordinary ability to bring more of your presence into your work and life. Allow yourself to be taken over by presence, bringing all your attention to what is in the present moment. Start slowly with one thing a day, and then increase your practice doing it. It is all about where you choose to put your attention, and where you choose to focus your energy, thoughts and breath.

I have been sitting outside in silence – doing nothing and getting present with the trees and the birds. It is amazing how I feel myself expanding and opening, and the ability to really rest in the present moment.

With so much distraction in our daily life, the art of presence is a crucial practice for connecting more with your intuition and keeping yourself in a state of flow so you can experience more effortlessness, relaxation and results.

Practice Presence,
Katie