The words suggest that the only time we can access true understanding or spiritual awakening is in the present moment. It implies that our focus on the past or future distracts us from this vital gateway.

In the context of modern non-dual teachings, particularly as articulated by Eckhart Tolle in *The Power of Now*, this is not merely a suggestion but a core principle. The "present moment" is understood as the only reality; the past exists only as memory, and the future only as anticipation. The ego, the source of suffering, thrives on dwelling in these mental constructs. By anchoring yourself in the awareness of the 'is-ness' of the present, you disidentify from the thinking mind and its incessant narratives. This disidentification is the very mechanism of awakening, allowing the underlying consciousness, the true Self, to be perceived. It's the cessation of the mind's identification with form and time, revealing the formless, timeless awareness that Tolle calls the 'is-ness' or the 'Presence'.

In your life: Practice noticing sensations in your body or the sounds around you for a few moments each day, gently returning your attention whenever your mind wanders to past regrets or future worries.