# Awareness Meditation: Becoming Present to the Here and Now

An episode of [The Daily Meditation with Brother Richard](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1861284240), 13 Oct 2026, 12 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/693ebc1df3a6f9e20ac00b64/e/6acdf752ef8a13e2f2f20745/media.mp3

In this meditation, I invite you to practise one of the foundations of the Franciscan contemplative tradition: simple awareness of the present moment. Beginning with the ancient practice of prosoche, or attention, we notice how we arrive at meditation before gradually bringing awareness to the body, its subtle sensations and the space around us. Rather than trying to change our experience, we practise noticing it. Through this gentle attention, even the smallest sensations can become an invitation into deeper presence. The more we cultivate awareness, the more available we become to the grace and divine presence already within the moment at hand. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Cultivating awareness 00:55 – Opening bell 01:11 – Checking in before meditation 01:36 – How am I today? 02:07 – Noticing what you bring to the practice 02:44 – Choosing the here and now 03:14 – Settling into the body 03:27 – Becoming aware of physical sensations 04:03 – Exploring the weight of the hands and arms 04:32 – Noticing subtle sensations 05:10 – Bringing awareness to the face 05:42 – Relaxing the head and neck 06:30 – Releasing tension in the shoulders and jaw 07:14 – Awareness of the whole body 07:49 – Breathing through tension or discomfort 08:33 – Becoming aware of the space around you 09:13 – Noticing thoughts and associations with your surroundings 09:58 – Returning awareness to the breath 10:23 – Cultivating awareness throughout the day 10:59 – Simply being 11:27 – A final check-in: How am I now? 12:03 – Returning to the body 12:13 – Closing bell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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