Health & FitnessMental HealthEducationSelf-Improvement

Are You Being Present?

The Presence Projects

This podcast exists to bring awareness to what it means to be present, and to offer encouragement for choosing it, again and again. Presence is not something that happens to you. It is a choice you make, moment by moment, over and over, away from the pull of the ego and back into what is actually here.
Each episode looks at a different piece of that work: the habits, the programs, the tools of the ego that pull you out of the present moment, and what it takes to come back to it. You have a choice. Choose to be present.

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#110
July 31 · 13 min
Episode 110 - Embracing Detachment with Presence
The Buddhists believe the root of all suffering is attachment. This episode presents that idea and integrates it into ego work because attachment is a tool of the ego, and it has been used against you relentlessly for far too long. Inside this episode you will better understand what detachment actually is, and what it is not. The more detached you are, the more you can truly appreciate the people, places, experiences, and moments that are here now. It is attachment that ejects you from the present moment, creating a yearning for what is not here and cannot be here. Plus a piece of homework. A simple diagnostic for looking at everything and everyone in your life and seeing clearly where attachment is quietly running the show. Now is the moment. Be detached from all things so that you can appreciate all things. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#107
July 26 · 13 min
Episode 109 - Stop Allowing Your Ego to Abuse You, Confuse You, Upset You, & Distract You
If someone else in your life talked to you the way your ego does, you would call it abuse. So why do we allow it? Why are we complicit? This episode turns the question directly on the listener. Why are you allowing your ego to confuse you, to upset you, to distract you, to eject you from the present moment? Just sitting with that question is part of the gap, part of the pause, part of the practice. Inside, a look at hypervigilance and what it costs you, drawn from observations of patients whose nervous systems never stop scanning, tracking, preparing, waiting for the next shoe to drop. It is exhausting, and it is happening in present moments where you are safe and secure. The message is not that this is wrong or bad. It is that it is time to see it, and time to stop it. All is well in this present moment, and all is unfolding exactly as it should. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#108
July 24 · 22 min
Episode 108 - Doing Ego Work in the Present Moment
After episodes spent naming ego programs and tools of the ego one by one, this one turns to the work itself. What ego work actually is. Where it has to be done. And why so few people are doing it. Ego work can only happen in the present moment, and the ego's job is to eject you from it. That is the juxtaposition at the heart of this episode. Inside, a look at the true power of the ego, how it can trigger a full physiological response in a present moment that has nothing to do with what is actually happening, and the cycle that keeps you stuck once it does. Plus the first steps of real ego work, including a piece of homework that begins to create the gap between you and that loud voice in your head. Our egos are our teachers. Until we do our ego work, our egos are our abusers. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#107
July 4 · 12 min
Episode 107 - The Most Important Relationship You'll Ever Have Is Between You and You
The most important relationship you will ever have is the one between you and you. Until you do your ego work, you are your ego. It uses your voice in your head to make you believe it is you, but it is a component of your personality, not the authentic version of you underneath it. This episode looks at why that relationship gets overlooked. We are raised to focus on relationships with family, teachers, and peers, and rarely encouraged to focus on how we treat ourselves, how we talk to ourselves, how we see ourselves. Would you ever let anyone talk to you the way you talk to yourself? Many people are in self-abusive relationships with themselves, and that has everything to do with an ego running amok. Before self-love, there is self-acceptance. That is step one, and it requires introspection, taking ownership of what has led up to this present moment without projecting onto or blaming others. You cannot change the past. It must be accepted. The only thing that is real is this present moment, and the relationship that matters most is the one within you. This is not about fighting the ego. It is about seeing it, watching it, letting it be, and then talking to yourself the way you deserve. The relationship between you and you is tier one. Get that right, and everything else and everyone else benefits. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#106
July 1 · 12 min
Episode 106 - Anticipation Is a Tool of the Ego
Anticipation is such a common tool, such a common motivator, such a common behavior. We anticipate things we perceive as good, bad, and indifferent, sometimes all three together. But what is anticipation actually doing to us, and how is it affecting the present moment itself? This episode makes the case that anticipation is a tool of the ego, one that becomes a presence roadblock. It brings something into the present moment so we can prepare for an eventuality we think is coming, but rarely does anticipation lead to exactly what happens when that moment arrives. It overlays and shadows the present with a version of the future built from the past, and it runs on the promise that preparing for an outcome will protect you from it. In reality, all you have is the present moment itself. This is not about judging yourself for anticipating. It is such a frequently used ego program that it becomes a knee jerk reaction, used in more scenarios than you could list. The work is simply to see it for what it is, to recognize when you are doing it, and to ask whether it is really helping you or just detracting from your ability to be present now. The message is simple. Stop anticipating. Be present. When that present moment comes in the future, you will deal with it then. You do not need to prepare for a present moment that is not happening now. Stay focused on what is in front of your face. Don't be hard on yourself, but stop anticipating. Be present, stay focused, and all will be well.
#105
February 28 · 15 min
Episode 105 - Seeking External Validation Is a Tool of the Ego
External validation feels good. But what happens when it runs out? This episode explores one of the ego's most powerful and pervasive traps: the endless pursuit of external validation. From the praise of parents and teachers in childhood to the approval of employers, spouses, and peers in adulthood, most of us have been deeply conditioned to measure our worth through the eyes of others. And the ego knows exactly how to exploit that. External validation can never be a sustainable source of confidence, because by its very nature, it isn't limitless. When the praise stops, the anxiety begins. When the confirmation disappears, the ego moves in with doubt, fear, and internal chaos. This episode takes an honest look at how this ego program shows up in everyday life, from professional settings and personal relationships to the extreme highs and lows of fame. It also examines why even well-intentioned advice-seeking can become a subtle form of outsourcing your own agency. The antidote? Internal validation, the practice of affirming, assuring, and praising yourself from within, especially when the ego is loudest. In this episode you'll explore: Why the ego creates doubt to manufacture a need for external approval How the "vacuum effect" of external validation fuels anxiety and depression What internal validation actually looks and feels like in practice How to endure difficult present moments with objectivity and grace Why self-affirmation has a lasting power that external praise never will You already know more than you think you do. This episode is an invitation to trust it. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#104
February 22 · 13 min
Episode 104 - Identifying Ego Programs in the Present Moment
Ego programs run like computer viruses in the background of your mind, silently sabotaging your present moment and creating self-inflicted suffering. Drawing from 15 years of clinical observation across 103 podcast episodes, this deep dive reveals what ego programs are, how to identify them in real time, and why they keep you trapped in patterns that have nothing to do with reality as it actually is. "I am sick." "I'm not enough." "I don't have enough." These aren't truths - they're programs installed during trauma and hardship that your ego weaponizes against you relentlessly. Learn to recognize the difference between what's actually happening in front of you and the distorted lens your ego forces you to see through. Discover why being the objective observer - watching thoughts without judgment, criticism, or attachment - is your primary defense against these insidious patterns. Explore practical presence tools including meditation, journaling, affirmations, and binaural beats to create the crucial gap between you and your ego programs. This isn't about fighting your ego or winning battles - it's about building a different relationship with the programs that dominate your inner reality and mirror themselves in your outer world. Start with one or two dominant programs. Be patient. Be graceful with yourself. The effort matters more than the results, and presence gives you the clarity to finally see what's been running you your entire life. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#103
February 19 · 12 min
Episode 103 - "I Am Sick" Is a Program of the Ego
"I am sick" isn't a statement of fact - it's an ego program that makes you become the very illness you claim. This episode examines how the powerful declaration "I am" followed by "sick" creates ownership of disease rather than acknowledging temporary imbalance. Drawing from 15 years of clinical observation and personal experience, we explore how this pervasive ego tool keeps you trapped in fear, stress, and perpetual scanning for problems. Your mind obsesses over every ache, convincing you something is fundamentally wrong when you're simply having a human experience in a body that naturally fluctuates. Learn to distinguish between not feeling well and declaring yourself sick, between experiencing symptoms and becoming identified with disease. This isn't about denying legitimate health challenges or trivializing suffering - it's about uprooting the mental virus that amplifies discomfort into identity and spreads to everyone around you. Discover how to reframe your language, reclaim your health, and remove this deeply ingrained program from your vocabulary. The present moment offers you clarity to see this ego tool for what it truly is: a presence obstruction keeping you from living freely. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#102
February 19 · 12 min
Episode 102 - Stop Catastrophizing, Be Present!
What if most of your suffering is self-inflicted? Catastrophizing robs you of the present moment by spinning worst-case scenarios that never materialize. Your mind creates entire disasters from nothing, projecting distorted memories onto an imagined future while reality unfolds peacefully right in front of you. This episode cuts through the madness. Drawing from thousands of clinical observations and hard-won personal insight, we expose catastrophizing as a relentless ego program designed solely to eject you from presence. You've done this countless times, yet how often has the catastrophe actually happened? Learn why your mind insists on this protective behavior despite its complete ineffectiveness, and discover practical presence tools to create distance between you and your spiraling thoughts. The work requires dedication, but through consistent practice you can reclaim your present moments and end unnecessary suffering. This is your opportunity to stop the madness and see clearly: all is well, and all is unfolding exactly as it should, right here, right now. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#101
February 16 · 12 min
Episode 101 - Embracing Change in the Present Moment
Change is inevitable, but our resistance to it creates suffering. In this episode, we explore why we struggle with change, how safety and comfort keep us trapped in familiar patterns, and what it means to embrace change with presence instead of fear. Drawing from personal experiences with injury, observations from clinic work with aging patients and career transitions, and practical presence tools, this conversation offers a path toward seeing change not as something happening TO you, but FOR you. Whether you're navigating a career shift, physical limitations, or unexpected life transitions, this episode provides grounded wisdom on moving through change with less resistance and more clarity. Remember, you have a choice. Choose to be Present!
#100
February 13 · 16 min
Episode 100 -Experiencing the Life Reset Button With Presence
What happens when everything you've built disappears overnight? This episode explores the profound experience of having your life reset button pushed - when natural disasters, loss, business failure, or sudden upheaval rips the floor out from under you. Speaking from direct experience of total loss and what I call "super survival mode," we examine how presence becomes both the most important and most difficult practice during extreme crisis. This isn't spiritual bypassing or toxic positivity... it's an honest look at grief, resistance, endurance, and the slow work of accepting what you never wanted. For anyone navigating their own reset right now, this episode offers empathy, practical tools, and the reminder that though it feels endless, this moment will not last forever. Remember, you have a choice... Choose to be present!
#99
May 14, 2023 · 14 min
Episode 99 - "If, That, Then" Is a Game of the Ego
The Presence Projects presents episode 99 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that focuses on a game/program the ego plays in a variety of different scenarios that creates a significant amount self-inflicted suffering. The title and topic of this episode is "If, That, Then Is a Game of the Ego". In this podcast Paul shares his personal, and clinical, experiences where he has observed, identified and exposed an ego program that is woven deeply within the constructs of the matrix being proliferated by societal conditioning that prevents Presence. This ego program acts as a Presence obstruction as it's used to eject you from the Present moment by creating conditions that need to be met so you can get to a future moment that will be better, or easier, than the one you're existing within. It is imperative that this ego game be observed, addressed and removed with the use of Presence Tools. Until this is accomplished the ego will use it repeatedly causing strife, angst, frustration and a variety of other negative states of being where the ego thrives. Because of how frequently, and effectively, the ego uses this specific program it may take some time and dedication to identify and stop it from running. Persistence and Presence will provide you with ample opportunity to uproot this insidious ego tool allowing for more neutrality, peace and prosperity. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#98
May 8, 2023 · 10 min
Episode 98 - Obligation Is a Tool of the Ego
The Presence Projects presents episode 98 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that addresses obligation, what it is, how it's used, the effect it has on the Present Moment and how we can reframe it. The title and topic of this episode is "Obligation Is a Tool of the Ego". In this podcast Paul dives into a subject that has created a lot of self-inflicted suffering at the hands of the ego. Everyone on Earth goes through life with a certain number of obligations which is why this podcast is so relevant and relatable. Being obligated to do something usually entails having to complete a task, action or responsibility that we do not want to do but must do. When we feel forced to do something the ego thrives and establishes a state of resistance and resentment, both are tremendous Presence obstructions. By being Present and remaining the observer of our thoughts, feelings and emotions there is an opportunity to shift into a more neutral state of being by simply accepting the task at hand. You can then willfully choose to do it because it needs to be done regardless of how you feel, or think, about it. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#97
Apr 25, 2023 · 15 min
Episode 97 - Ok This Is Happening, What Do I Want to Do About It in This Present Moment?
The Presence Projects presents episode 97 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that introduces a statement, an affirmation and a powerful Presence Tool that can help to alleviate resistance, resentment, frustration and self-inflicted suffering. The title and topic of this episode is "Ok This Is Happening, What Do I Want to Do About It in This Present Moment?". In this podcast Paul discusses the need to greet each Present Moment with acceptance, open arms, clarity and neutrality. He shares with the audience a statement/greeting that can transcend negative ego thought streams into a state of acceptance for what is taking place in the here and now. As we navigate life on Earth we encounter, and at times react to, undesirable situations containing people, places and things that cause resistance and resentment. These behaviors are Presence obstructions that create negative states of being allowing for self-inflicted suffering at the hands of the ego. By creating a Presence Practice, using Presence Tools and being the observer of the loud voice in your head you can use the statement "Ok This Is Happening, What Do I Want to Do About It in This Present Moment?" to establish a state of Presence, peace and prosperity. It may take a concerted effort to use this statement when confronted with multiple challenges/opportunities but with practice, perseverance and dedication it can become second nature. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#96
Apr 19, 2023 · 13 min
Episode 96 - Stop Comparing Yourself, Be Present!
The Presence Projects presents episode 96 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast on comparison, how it is a major Presence obstruction and tool of the ego that has been used to create an immense amount of self-inflicted suffering. The title and topic of this episode is "Stop Comparing Yourself, Be Present!". In this podcast Paul focuses on what comparison in, how it's been used as a negative motivator, the effect it has on the Present moment and the need to observe it with objectivity as your ego (or other people's egos) use it against you. Early in life we are indoctrinated with societal programming that is very negative and uses control mechanisms like comparison to manipulate and motivate for a variety of nefarious reasons. In this reality no two people/places/things are equal, nor should they be. The ego (that loud voice in your head) wants you to believe the opposite, the truth is that everything and everyone is unique in their own special way. Knowing this Universal Truth provides a proper understanding that comparison creates unnecessary self-inflicted suffering. Comparing yourself to anyone, including a past or future version of yourself, takes you out of the Present moment leading to a variety of negative emotions, feelings and energetic states of being. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#95
Apr 17, 2023 · 13 min
Episode 95 - Being the Cycle Breaker in the Present Moment
The Presence Projects presents episode 95 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that introduces the title "Cycle Breaker", what it means, how to achieve it and the value of such an important (and potentially life changing) accomplishment. The title and topic of this episode is "Being the Cycle Breaker in the Present Moment". In this podcast Paul shares his Present moments discussing a title that he has achieved and discusses with the people he works with. Cycles are prevalent throughout life in the third dimension, many of which incur/create a significant amount of trauma for those on the receiving end being passed down through family, friends and significant others. These cycles are perpetuated, either consciously or unconsciously, through a lineage that requires an individual with courage, bravery and the necessary fortitude to break it in the Present moment. While this achievement commands a significant amount of endurance, energy and dedication it is truly a worthy and worthwhile endeavor that will provide an improved sense of self-worth, self-esteem and Presence. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#94
Apr 13, 2023 · 11 min
Episode 94 - Identifying Patterns With Presence
The Presence Projects presents episode 94 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that explores patterns and how Presence allows us to identify, understand and shift our conscious and unconscious behavior(s) in the Present moment. The title and topic of this episode is "Identifying Patterns With Presence". In this podcast Paul shares his Present seconds discussing the need to identify patterns that exist within our reality. He illuminates the importance of examining behavioral patterns with Presence to see the effect(s) they have and why they are repeated. Many people are taught patterns during childhood that become deeply ingrained creating neural pathways. Once these patterns are repeated long enough, they become routine and are done without thought or intention. Many times, these behavioral patterns create loops where people get stuck doing the same things repeatedly and at times expecting different results. This creates fertile ground for the ego, also known as the loud voice in your head, where negative streams of thought become dominant leading to self-inflicted suffering. Using Presence tools can help provide clarity allowing for a better understanding of the pattern itself and the opportunity to change, grow and shift away from this unhelpful and unproductive behavior. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#93
Apr 9, 2023 · 11 min
Episode 93 - You Are Exactly Where You Are Supposed to Be in This Present Moment
The Presence Projects presents episode 93 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that focuses on "destination addiction" and how it obstructs our ability to fully accept all that is available, and possible, in the Present moment. The title and topic of this episode is "You Are Exactly Where You Are Supposed to Be in This Present Moment". In this podcast Paul provides a helpful statement that provides reassurance to his listeners who may be experiencing some Presence challenges. By fully accepting where you are, and who you are, it becomes possible to achieve clarity and live a more peaceful existence in the Present moment. "Destination addiction" is a common behavior that has created a lot of self-inflicted suffering throughout Western society. It is the idea/premise that somewhere else, something else, or someone else is far better than what is unfolding in your life at that Present moment. This is a tool of the ego that creates a significant obstruction to being Present as it creates an illusion that the future will be far better than the Present. Learning what destination addiction is, and then properly addressing it in the Present moment, will provide substantial relief and the ability to shift out of future distractions which only exists in your mind/ego. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#92
Apr 2, 2023 · 12 min
Episode 92 - Understanding the Difference Between Intention vs Expectation in the Present Moment
The Presence Projects presents episode 92 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that focuses on the vast differences between intention and expectation in the Present moment. The title and topic of this episode is "Understanding the Difference Between Intention vs Expectation in the Present Moment". In this podcast Paul examines the stark contrast and effects that expectation and intention have on a person's mind, body and spirit. Living a life filled with expectation causes excessive amounts of suffering, primarily self-inflicted, that allows the ego to evoke negative thoughts, feelings and emotions. Societal conditioning has programmed us to create lives filled with expectation, and when those expectations are not met a slew of negativity is experienced. Learning the effects of expectation, observing our egoic behaviors and then addressing them in the Present moment allows for more neutrality, peace and prosperity. In opposition, living with intention is a far easier way to navigate life as it provides a more fluid state of being. By having and exhibiting intention with people, places and things we can shift, pivot, and flow without creating unnecessary self-inflicted suffering. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com
#91
Mar 30, 2023 · 12 min
Episode 91 - Understanding Uncertainty With Presence
The Presence Projects presents episode 91 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series. Join Paul for a podcast that explores uncertainty and how it can be better understood and experienced in the Present moment. The title and topic of this episode is "Understanding Uncertainty With Presence". In this podcast Paul speaks about uncertainty and the negative connotation typically associated with it. Currently, we are faced with a variety of uncertainties which cause a tremendous amount of self-inflicted suffering preventing Presence. Most people are raised with a fear of the unknown and are dominated by an ego that projects negative future potential outcomes. Because of this, living in states of uncertainty can be extremely challenging, unnerving and chaotic for most of the population. Being programmed to prepare for the worst is a common behavior that relates to a lack of certainty that causes panic, anxiety and stress. During this podcast Paul spends time focusing on what uncertainty is, how to shift perceptions about uncertainty and how to be neutral (and Present) when faced with uncertainties. As always, it is advisable to listen to earlier podcasts that discuss other Presence topics and Presence Tools that can be implemented to help shift into the Present Moment. Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube! Remember you have a choice. Choose to be present! https://www.areyoubeingpresent.com

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