Being Present in Anxiety

Reflections on The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle highlights something I notice often in my work as a therapist: how quickly we can get pulled out of the present moment and into our thoughts.

So much of what I see clinically—anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, fear, overthinking, and even addictive patterns—seems tied to that shift away from the present. People often become caught in loops of past regret or future worry, and it can start to feel like there is no real distinction between them and their thoughts.

Tolle describes the “egoic mind” as the part of us that becomes overly identified with thoughts, stories, and fears. Clinically, this reminds me of cognitive fusion, a psychological process in which thoughts begin to feel like objective truths rather than passing mental events.

He also discusses the “pain-body,” which reflects stored emotional pain that can become activated in the present. When that happens, reactions can feel intense or disproportionate to what is actually occurring in the moment.

In these states, people often lose a sense of choice. They may find themselves ruminating, replaying past events, or trying to escape discomfort through avoidance or other coping strategies. Usually, the harder someone tries to push those experiences away, the more stuck they feel in them.

What stood out to me most in Tolle’s writing is his focus on acceptance and surrender—allowing an experience to be present without immediately trying to fix, change, or resist it. In practice, that can create just enough space for something different to happen.

Mindfulness does not make anxiety disappear, but it can change the way someone relates to it. When thoughts are seen as thoughts rather than facts, there is often a gradual return of choice and agency. The discomfort may still be there, but it no longer has to carry the same weight.

For me, the main takeaway is this ongoing return to awareness and to self. That shift back into the present moment is often where things begin to feel a little steadier.

At Unify Counseling, we understand how difficult it can be to navigate anxiety, stress, and overwhelming thoughts. We are here to provide a supportive space where you can explore these experiences, build effective coping strategies, and move toward greater balance and well-being.