June 6 – Living in the Naked Now
Nondual knowing is living in the naked now, the ‘sacrament of the present moment.’ The nondual mind is open to everything that comes its way. Richard Rohr
Gregg’s Reflection
One of the most freeing truths I’ve learned in my spiritual journey is that God is always present — but I am not always present to God. My mind loves to dwell in the past, replaying what I should have said or done, or jump into the future, planning and predicting. Very little of that energy is spent simply being here, in the present moment, with God.
Richard Rohr calls this living in the naked now — being fully open to the moment just as it is, without judgment, filtering, or the need to control it. It’s a way of seeing that doesn’t divide the moment into good or bad, success or failure, right or wrong. It lets things be what they are and invites God to speak through them.
This isn’t easy. My dualistic mind wants to label and sort. But nondual awareness asks me to notice without labeling, to be curious without controlling. When I’ve been able to do this — whether in a quiet morning of prayer or a difficult conversation — I’ve found the present moment holds far more grace than my anxious mind expected.
The naked now is where God meets us, transforms us, and sends us back into the world more awake. As I practice this, I find I’m less reactive, more compassionate, and more willing to let God be God in the moment.
Scripture
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Matthew 6:34
Ancient Quotes
God is at home, it is we who have gone out for a walk.
Meister Eckhart
Modern Quotes
Nondual knowing is living in the naked now, the ‘sacrament of the present moment.’ The nondual mind is open to everything that comes its way.
Richard Rohr, Essential Teachings on Love, p. 94
Whenever we can appreciate the goodness and value of something, while still knowing its limitations and failures, this also marks the beginning of wisdom and nondual consciousness.
Richard Rohr, Naked Now, p. 106
Journaling Prompts
- What distracts you most from being fully present to God in the moment?
- How might you practice noticing without labeling in the next 24 hours?
- When have you experienced unexpected grace in a moment you were fully present?
- How could living more in the “naked now” change your relationships and your spiritual life?
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 23 Reflection: Non-Dualistic Thinking