“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes,” writes Henry Miller, as quoted by Josh Baran in The Tao of Now. “Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly.” This sums up how I feel about the collection. After reading it cover to cover, it struck me that there is no rhyme or reason - no set path - in the order of the passages other than to point out Present Moment Awareness. According to Baran, a former Zen monk, these quotes are the most “re-mindful” when it comes to “looking at now.” And he’s right. I was surprised how many times I found myself totally present with the book in hand, especially when Baran adds his own personal comments and reflections directing our attention back to the present moment: “Are you reading now, in full presence and connection?”
Baran’s anthology offers much inspiration to “be here now.” You do not have to follow any particular tradition or way or technique or believe in any individual thing to reap its benefits: you just have to bring your attention again and again to the “now.” The Tao of Now (in its first incarnation, 365 Nirvana Here and Now) incorporates quotes from great poets and novelists.