The Wilderness of Now: How Presence Became My Spiritual Practice

When I was younger, I was an avid hiker, backpacker, mountain and rock climber. The wilderness was my playground—but also my teacher.

Out there in the wild, I learned quickly that zoning out could lead to injury… or worse. One moment of distraction—one slip in awareness—could mean a misstep on loose gravel, a missed handhold, or a misjudged weather shift. The stakes were high, and the only way to stay safe was to be fully present. To live completely in the now.

The rocks, the trails, the cliffs—they didn’t care about yesterday’s worries or tomorrow’s plans. The mountain didn’t wait for you to catch up mentally. It demanded your awareness. Your focus. Your presence.

Back then, being in the now was about survival. But over the years, I’ve come to understand that this lesson was also the beginning of my spiritual practice.

What Does Living in the Now Really Mean?

Spiritually, living in the now isn’t about ignoring your past or avoiding the future—it’s about releasing your grip on them. It’s about arriving fully in the present moment with openness, trust, and awareness.

It’s where ego begins to soften.  Where fear takes a backseat. Where the soul speaks the loudest.

Just like in the mountains, presence is not optional—it’s essential. It’s where the real clarity comes in. The moment you drop into now, you reconnect with your intuition, your body, your spirit, and your Source.

Walking Through Life Like the Wilderness

So many of us walk through our daily lives like we’re on autopilot—mentally somewhere else, emotionally stuck in yesterday, or anxiously planning for tomorrow. But when you’re on a steep trail, or hanging by a rope on a rock face, there’s no room for that. Every movement matters. Every breath matters.

And the truth is—every moment of our life matters just as much.

That deep level of awareness I practiced in the wild is the same awareness I now bring to my spiritual life. Whether I’m guiding a client, creating something from my heart, or simply sitting in silence—presence is the foundation. It’s my anchor. My compass. My way back to self.

The Sacred Terrain Within

I now understand: the wilderness was a metaphor. It trained me not just for survival, but for spiritual awakening.

In the wild, presence kept me safe. In the soul, presence keeps me aligned.

So if you’re wondering how to deepen your spiritual journey, I invite you to begin here: Come back to your breath. Feel your feet on the ground. Listen without rushing to respond. Let go of needing to control the outcome.

Live like you’re climbing a mountain—alert, engaged, and fully alive.

Because this moment is sacred terrain.

Want more ways to live with presence and power in your life?

Visit www.mystic-synergy.com for courses, coaching, and inspiration that helps you live and lead from your soul.