For Presence: Where Your Energy Flows, Your Practice Grows
John O’Donohue’s poem For Presence is a gentle yet profound call to awaken to the fullness of being—an invitation to step into the quiet immensity of our own presence. His words, each line a blessing, echo across traditions, intertwining the spiritual landscapes of Celtic mysticism, Eastern philosophy, and even modern psychology. At its heart, his message aligns beautifully with the yogic path, reminding us that where we direct our energy, our practice—our life—takes root and flourishes.
“Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path.
Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.
May anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.”
The Discipline of Presence: Brahmacharya & Svadhyaya
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we find two guiding principles that support this deep engagement with presence:
Brahmacharya (Right Use of Energy) – Often misinterpreted solely as celibacy, Brahmacharya is about mindful energy management. It asks us to move away from distractions and excesses, and instead direct our vitality toward what truly nourishes us. In yoga practice, this means staying present on our own mat—resisting the urge to compare, compete, or let our gaze wander onto someone else’s journey. Just as O’Donohue reminds us to "take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention," Brahmacharya teaches that our growth is internal, not measured by external validation.
Svadhyaya (Self-Study & Reflection) – O’Donohue speaks of the "secret symmetry of your soul," a poetic nod to the deep inner knowing that Svadhyaya cultivates. In yoga, self-study is the bridge between discipline and insight, action and understanding. When we engage in Svadhyaya, we become students of ourselves—observing where our attention flows, noticing where we resist, and choosing where we wish to grow. This is as true on the mat as it is in daily life.
The Intersection of Celtic, Eastern & Western Wisdom
Presence is a universal concept, appearing across spiritual traditions.
Celtic Spirituality (O’Donohue’s Theology) – Rooted in a reverence for the sacredness of everyday life, O’Donohue’s work reminds us that presence is not an abstract ideal but a lived experience. He encourages us to "have joy and peace in the temple of your senses," echoing the yogic teaching that mindfulness is found through direct, embodied awareness.
Yoga & Buddhism – Both traditions emphasize pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and dharana (concentration) as pathways to presence. Just as O’Donohue calls us to "be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul," yoga and Buddhist meditation guide us toward inner balance—freeing ourselves from the distractions of the outer world to cultivate deep, inner connection.
Western Psychology – The science of mindfulness, flow states, and attention management all affirm what these ancient traditions have long taught: where our focus goes, our experience follows. Cognitive psychology tells us that attention is finite; when scattered, we feel depleted, but when focused, we find clarity and purpose.
Presence on the Mat & in Life
In the physical practice of yoga, presence means keeping our attention where it belongs—on our own breath, our own movement, our own energy. It means honouring our limits, tuning into our bodies, and resisting the temptation to measure ourselves against others.
This extends beyond the studio:
Showing up in mutual reciprocity – Presence means minding our own practice, both on and off the mat. It’s easy to judge, compare, or let distractions pull us away from what truly matters, but real discipline is found in returning to our own center and showing up in a way that enables others to feel seen and heard.
Letting go of the ‘perfect pose’ – Yoga is not about executing the most advanced posture; it’s about meeting yourself where you are with compassion and curiosity. Similarly, we can extend that same compassion and curiosity toward others in holding space for them to show us who they are and want to be, instead of jumping to closed conclusions that might out someone in an unfair judgement.
Honoring energy flow – By consciously directing our energy toward growth, healing, and understanding, we align with the deeper rhythms of life.
Sometimes, these deeper rhythms are dark magic, ruts, or stuckness that eventually we break through into a new magical amazing iteration of self. Consciously directed thoughtful intentions and energy that aligns with some belief systems about attracting your reality, choosing your mindset, and determining what you manifest. It is important to recognise that there are systems of oppression, injustice, marginalisation, and abuse that are out of your control and not your fault. No amount of ‘positive thinking’ can dismantle the obstructions, barriers and inequities that some of us, or others you know, face. However, anyone can utilise these wonderous tools accessed through the pathways of yoga and Buddhism and create a container for the self, a sanctum where one can enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
A Sacred Gift Woven Around the Heart of Wonder
O’Donohue’s closing words remind us that "each day is a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder." The same is true of our practice—every breath, every movement, every moment of stillness is an offering. When we practice Brahmacharya and Svadhyaya, when we commit to presence without comparison or distraction, our energy flows where it is most needed, and our practice—our life—grows in ways we could never have imagined.
So, may we awaken to the mystery of being here. May we enter the quiet immensity of our own presence. And may we honor the sacred unfolding of our journey, one breath at a time.