Journey from daydreams to daily joy

Our mind is a master storyteller. It loves to spin tales about what we don’t have — the money we wish for, the partner we hope to meet, the position we dream of reaching. Meanwhile, the blessings already in our lives often go unnoticed.

Some of us have a loving spouse, a comfortable home, a stable job, or caring friends, yet our minds are rarely satisfied. It keeps looking ahead or backward, everywhere but not here. Like a daydreamer with open eyes, the mind wanders into “what is not”. And because it is so convincing, the imaginary often feels more real than reality itself.

THE TRAP OF “WHAT IS NOT”

At night, we believe our dreams are real — until we wake up. Strangely, in the day, we repeat the same mistake. The mind gets caught in anger, greed, or ego, and even if we regret it later, the next time it happens, we get lost again. History tells us that even great conquerors like Alexander could leave the world empty-handed, yet the mind whispers, “You could be different. You could be the exception.” The mind’s illusions can be so vivid that they overshadow what is right in front of us.

PRESENT IS THE DEATH OF ILLUSIONS

The good news is – awakening is simple. You don’t have to renounce life or wear special clothes. You don’t have to leave your home or change your identity. You only have to wake up from the dream.

Being present is the key. In the now, the mind cannot dream. The present moment is the “death” of the mind’s illusions because it can only survive in the past or future. But here’s the challenge: the mind is addicted to running away from now. It thrives on imagining, wishing, and worrying. That is why concepts like “manifestation” are popular — because the mind enjoys living in what is not yet real. Yet every time we pause, breathe, and notice the moment we are in, we take a step away from illusion and towards clarity.

AWAKEN TO THE ‘NOW’

Once we awaken, the imaginary world loses its grip. Life stops feeling like something far away. We realise that happiness, peace, and even a sense of godliness have always been here — just hidden behind layers of dreaming.

When you are present, you laugh at how close you have always been to what you were seeking. The idea of distance disappears. Everyday moments — a smile, a conversation, the taste of your morning tea — become vivid and alive.

Awakening is not an escape from life. It is an arrival into it. And in that arrival, you discover the truth: the beauty of peace you longed for had always been right there.

Courtesy: Rajyoga Meditation Centre, Kingston (meditation courses and counselling are offered free of charge). Get in touch via email: bkmeditation.jam@gmail.com or WhatsApp: 876-853-7848. Follow them on Instagram: rajyoga_meditation_jamaica.